M1 Garand Finish

George R · February 9, 2008, 06:51 PM

Help please. M1Garand #3,363,0XX. SA mfg Dec 1944 or maybe Jan 1945. Would that have a black oxide (blued) finish or parkerized? I'd appreciate help from a Garand guru. Thanks.

James K · February 9, 2008, 07:06 PM

It would be Parkerized with a sort of greenish tinge. The reason for the tinge has been the subject of some heated discussion among collectors, but it is definitely there.

Jim

George R · February 9, 2008, 08:26 PM

Thanks Jim. I appreciate the help. My greenish tinge theory is years of cosmoline, but thats another thread. Thank you again.

Tom2 · February 9, 2008, 09:00 PM

I don't believe it. I have put cosmoline on guns and they never turn green! I think there was something in the finishing process besides just the common manganese or zinc dissolved in the phosporic acid that they don't tell you about? Plenty of guns that did not spend alot of time packed in cosmo or none at all, that have that color.

mikenbarb · February 9, 2008, 10:29 PM

My gunsmith still offers the military green process for older guns. Or if your into that color he will do a new one that color for you also. I think he gets around $140.00 to do the green blueing on a barrel. If you want his info let me know and I will post it for you.

SuperTodd · February 10, 2008, 11:16 AM

Check the cmp forum, all kind of info on the subject

Tom2 · February 10, 2008, 05:13 PM

So is it grease or Greece that turns them green? I think some of the folks doing restoration must add something to the mix to make any color other than different shades of gray, as that is what color all the stuff I have had done or done myself has looked like. Either Mang. or Zinc finishes.

James K · February 11, 2008, 11:13 PM

I have checked near-new M1 rifles from 1940-1941, and the greenish tinge is 1) only on the receiver and certain receiver parts and 2) is in areas such as under the rear sight where no cosmoline could reach. Other parts, like the barrel, op rod and rear sight are black, even though they touch the greenish parts. Any substance applied after assembly would have affected those parts as well, indicating the receiver was dipped separately before assembly.

Plus, M1 rifles were not cosmolined for shipping from the factory; they were oiled and shipped in wooden crates lined with waxed paper.

Jim

February 9, 2008, 06:51 PM	#1
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	M1 Garand Finish Help please. M1Garand #3,363,0XX. SA mfg Dec 1944 or maybe Jan 1945. Would that have a black oxide (blued) finish or parkerized? I'd appreciate help from a Garand guru. Thanks. __________________ http://www.gunblue.homestead.com

February 9, 2008, 09:00 PM	#4
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I don't believe it. I have put cosmoline on guns and they never turn green! I think there was something in the finishing process besides just the common manganese or zinc dissolved in the phosporic acid that they don't tell you about? Plenty of guns that did not spend alot of time packed in cosmo or none at all, that have that color. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

February 9, 2008, 10:29 PM	#5
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Military green finish My gunsmith still offers the military green process for older guns. Or if your into that color he will do a new one that color for you also. I think he gets around $140.00 to do the green blueing on a barrel. If you want his info let me know and I will post it for you. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

February 10, 2008, 11:16 AM	#6
SuperTodd Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Location: southern Oregon Posts: 52	alot of garands coming from greece have a black oxide finish Check the cmp forum, all kind of info on the subject

February 10, 2008, 05:13 PM	#7
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	So is it grease or Greece that turns them green? I think some of the folks doing restoration must add something to the mix to make any color other than different shades of gray, as that is what color all the stuff I have had done or done myself has looked like. Either Mang. or Zinc finishes. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

February 9, 2008, 07:06 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It would be Parkerized with a sort of greenish tinge. The reason for the tinge has been the subject of some heated discussion among collectors, but it is definitely there. Jim

February 9, 2008, 08:26 PM	#3
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	M1 Garand Thanks Jim. I appreciate the help. My greenish tinge theory is years of cosmoline, but thats another thread. Thank you again. __________________ http://www.gunblue.homestead.com

February 11, 2008, 11:13 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have checked near-new M1 rifles from 1940-1941, and the greenish tinge is 1) only on the receiver and certain receiver parts and 2) is in areas such as under the rear sight where no cosmoline could reach. Other parts, like the barrel, op rod and rear sight are black, even though they touch the greenish parts. Any substance applied after assembly would have affected those parts as well, indicating the receiver was dipped separately before assembly. Plus, M1 rifles were not cosmolined for shipping from the factory; they were oiled and shipped in wooden crates lined with waxed paper. Jim