Mills No.5 Restoration Advice

[peregrinvs]

Hi,

Amongst some other nice finds at Beltring this year, I got a dug but only lightly corroded Mills No.5 body and a March 1916 Burman & Sons brass base plug. (20 for both) It has since spent the week in some Deox-C and pending a final polish, it is ready to be refinished. (I also got a full set of parts from the Dugup stall)

I think I've read elsewhere that satin Walnut coloured varnish makes a passable imitation of the original brown lacquer (?) coating - is this correct? I already have some satin dark Oak varnish - would this be too black?

I'd also like to know what other markings were added. Where there red crosses painted on the top, etc?

I did take some 'before' pictures and will try and upload them soon.

Many thanks,

Mark

 

[butterfly]

Hi Mark,

Not my area, but here is a link with an excellent no5 restoration. I'm sure there are other threads also on the forum.

http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/no-5-no-t71536.html

regards Kev

 

[pointblank0]

Hi,

Amongst some other nice finds at Beltring this year, I got a dug but only lightly corroded Mills No.5 body and a March 1916 Burman & Sons brass base plug. (20 for both) It has since spent the week in some Deox-C and pending a final polish, it is ready to be refinished. (I also got a full set of parts from the Dugup stall)

I think I've read elsewhere that satin Walnut coloured varnish makes a passable imitation of the original brown lacquer (?) coating - is this correct? I already have some satin dark Oak varnish - would this be too black?

I'd also like to know what other markings were added. Where there red crosses painted on the top, etc?

I did take some 'before' pictures and will try and upload them soon.

Many thanks,

Mark

No 5s didn't have red crosses, the top was painted red and there would be a coloured filling band half way down being either pink or green depending on filling, I think even white at some point but not sure here. You can pick up shelack flakes, which would give the correct finish, I think there is a thread on here somewhere with the correct mix

 

[peregrinvs]

I attach some pre-cleaning pictures. It must have been buried in something only lightly corrosive as there is hardly any pitting. As mentioned, it has now been cleaned to bare metal and just needs a final polish to brighten the metal prior to re-coating.

I think real lacquer is a little advanced for me, so I'm planning to use either wood Knotting or Button Polish. Does anyone have a preference?

Cheers,

Mark

 

[gothica7]

Hi bud,

French polish will do if you can get some from your local Ironmonger. Ive used it and it does the job just fine. The central band should be only 1/2 in thick but many were hand painted and because it was such a mind numbing job, could be a bit thicker. As for colour, just pink or green with red for the top of the gren.

Good luck with it. Looking good so far.

Andy

 

[peregrinvs]

Thanks. When you say the 'top' of the grenade, which bits do you mean exactly?

Cheers,

Mark

 

[gothica7]

Hi mark,

i have seen so many variations as to where the grens were painted, mainly, if not all by hand that i dont think they were ever meant to look perfect, just live. Dont think they expected many 'returns'.

Cant go wrong if you paint the top of the gren red, inc lugs, up to and including the filler and top segments. I have seen grens with the ringpull and the top of the lever painted red too. All done with a brush, leaving marks too. I have many a filler with the slot full of red paint.

Andy

 

[peregrinvs]

A couple more pictures. It has been cleaned, polished and kitted out with the real base plug and a set of repro parts from Dugup.

Next stage, re-coating with something lacquer-ish.

Mark