Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 13, 2007 18:02:19 GMT -5
In viewing pictures of US weapons both in the ETO and Pacific one can't help but note a wide variety of shades for the receiver groups and barrels of various guns. Often widely varied on the same gun! As I build my Garand conversions I've done them in a variety of shades often according to the personal taste of the owners from a dull grey to a glossy black with most going out in a dull flat black. The subject of parkerization comes up (A treatment process for US weapon metal) and heated debates usually follow. The following is probably more then any of you need or want to know about the subject but is extremely well researched and written:
PARKERIZING COLORS
An Historical Perspective by Scott A. Duff
If you want to start an argument among collectors of U.S. Military Small Arms ask: "What color Parkerizing is original?" This seemingly simple question will provoke endless discussion, and provide a wider variety of answers than one could assume possible. Research conducted in the preparation of several Ml rifle related books has provided the opportunity to examine thousands of Garands, including hundreds of rifles in original configuration. Observations indicate the color of the Parkerized finish varied with the conditions under which the Parkerizing was applied, the era of the rifle's manufacture and the condition and length of time they were stored. Specific factors affecting the color resulting from the Parkerizing process include the type of phosphate used, the temperature and duration of the process, the saturating oil bath, and the preservative coating's reaction on the com-pounds contained in the Parkerizing. In addition, the method and chemicals used in heat treating and the specified hardness of the individual component also affected the finish color. For instance, a softer metal has a darker finish than a harder one.
Descriptions of variations in color and shade are subjective, and the same finish may be described differently by two different people. With that in mind, original finishes have been observed which are: charcoal black, gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast. The earliest original rifles examined are in the collection at Springfield Armory National Historic Site. These rifles, serial numbers 81,87, 79115, 100,000, 1 million, 2 million and 3 million, are in "as-new" condition. They were deemed of historical significance, and generally transferred directly from the factory to the museum shortly after manufacture. They all are of charcoal black color. Early production Winchester Ml's are of the same color. None of these rifles have been coated with Cosmoline or saturated with oil. It is interesting to note that M14 rifles were not subject to Cosmoline coating and are the same color as these early Garands.
Other Ml rifles manufactured during this era which have seen service, have been observed to be of gloss black or dark green finish. It is believed that the gloss black is primarily a result of repeated cleaning with solvent and oil-soaked rags which gave an almost polished effect to the finish. The frequently encountered, dark green Parkerized finish is believed to be primarily a result of the compounds present in the Parkerized finish chemically reacting to the Cosmoline used for corrosion prevention during long term storage. Observations of original Garands manufactured by Springfield and Winchester indicate a change in the finish color from black to a translucent gray during the late summer of 1944. The Parkerizing process used to finish Ml's of post World War 11 manufacture appears to have returned to the charcoal black finish. If the rifle has been stored in Cosmoline, a green tint may be noted.
So, what color Parkerizing is original? Most "as new" Garands are charcoal black. Original finishes of gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast have been observed. The variables mentioned above and more than fifty years of use and storage make it impossible to give a specific answer. However, one thing is certain; the argument among collectors and aficionados will continue.
PARKERIZING COLORS
An Historical Perspective by Scott A. Duff
If you want to start an argument among collectors of U.S. Military Small Arms ask: "What color Parkerizing is original?" This seemingly simple question will provoke endless discussion, and provide a wider variety of answers than one could assume possible. Research conducted in the preparation of several Ml rifle related books has provided the opportunity to examine thousands of Garands, including hundreds of rifles in original configuration. Observations indicate the color of the Parkerized finish varied with the conditions under which the Parkerizing was applied, the era of the rifle's manufacture and the condition and length of time they were stored. Specific factors affecting the color resulting from the Parkerizing process include the type of phosphate used, the temperature and duration of the process, the saturating oil bath, and the preservative coating's reaction on the com-pounds contained in the Parkerizing. In addition, the method and chemicals used in heat treating and the specified hardness of the individual component also affected the finish color. For instance, a softer metal has a darker finish than a harder one.
Descriptions of variations in color and shade are subjective, and the same finish may be described differently by two different people. With that in mind, original finishes have been observed which are: charcoal black, gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast. The earliest original rifles examined are in the collection at Springfield Armory National Historic Site. These rifles, serial numbers 81,87, 79115, 100,000, 1 million, 2 million and 3 million, are in "as-new" condition. They were deemed of historical significance, and generally transferred directly from the factory to the museum shortly after manufacture. They all are of charcoal black color. Early production Winchester Ml's are of the same color. None of these rifles have been coated with Cosmoline or saturated with oil. It is interesting to note that M14 rifles were not subject to Cosmoline coating and are the same color as these early Garands.
Other Ml rifles manufactured during this era which have seen service, have been observed to be of gloss black or dark green finish. It is believed that the gloss black is primarily a result of repeated cleaning with solvent and oil-soaked rags which gave an almost polished effect to the finish. The frequently encountered, dark green Parkerized finish is believed to be primarily a result of the compounds present in the Parkerized finish chemically reacting to the Cosmoline used for corrosion prevention during long term storage. Observations of original Garands manufactured by Springfield and Winchester indicate a change in the finish color from black to a translucent gray during the late summer of 1944. The Parkerizing process used to finish Ml's of post World War 11 manufacture appears to have returned to the charcoal black finish. If the rifle has been stored in Cosmoline, a green tint may be noted.
So, what color Parkerizing is original? Most "as new" Garands are charcoal black. Original finishes of gloss black, black with a noticeable green tint, dark olive green, a light, almost translucent gray, and translucent gray with a green cast have been observed. The variables mentioned above and more than fifty years of use and storage make it impossible to give a specific answer. However, one thing is certain; the argument among collectors and aficionados will continue.
and 2nd Bat, i didn't know there was a ww11. All this time i could have been spending countless hours researching ww3-11. " finish Ml's of post World War 11 manufacture" ;D 
