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black-painted Mills grens

Paul,
I can't find any reference to the "fermangen process".
Would you know what it is and how it blackened the casting?

Cheers,
Brad
 
Brad. Heating up the iron body & then dousing it in oil , similar to some ways of bluing gun barrels .
 
Paul & Dave,

Would "Stove Polish" (or "Stove Black") produce a similar appearance / finish?
...the finish used to blacken and protect cast iron stoves or fireplaces

Thanks,
Brad
 
I've just had some restoration work done on a Webley & Scott Fencing Rifle and the new metalwork (The bayonet and end piece) are being sent away for 'blackening'. I'll check what this process involves. Apparently the metal goes black but the process is not a coating and adds nothing to the thickness of the metal. I do have a very good Mills that looks to have been through such a process with even the brass filler plug being black. I don't know if the finish is original though. I bought it in France about 5 years ago.

John
 
Hello chaps...

I'm rather interested in this thread, especially since I trained on the Mills-36 during my service career. The colour of all of the ones we had were of a laquered Bronze. The chart used earlier in the thread mentions either 'Buff or Yellow'. That to my experiance sounds to relate to the American system, as they coloured their Mk.1 'Pineaple' in this scheme.. hense the nickname!
 
The reference to "buff or yellow" in the table that I posted earlier in the thread relates to HE items other than the 36 grenade and 3 inch mortar bombs. The table is a lift from a current British military pamphlet relating to the ID of UXO items and the British system of marking prevailing during any of the time periods listed.
 
Thank you 'exat808'.... thats put me in my place :) I will admit, I was a little confused by the reference... all's chrystal now though!
 
Fusilier said:
Thank you 'exat808'.... thats put me in my place :) I will admit, I was a little confused by the reference... all's chrystal now though!
Click to expand...

Also meant to add..welcome to BOCN. Its never about being "put in your place" on here. Ask questions and they will be anwered by some of the worlds leading authorities on the the given subject. Your experience and knowledge will be of value too.
 
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