orignal finish

[Jason]

anyone know what the orignals were finished with? thought about parkerizing then duracoat so the finish is even but I'm afraid the park will wipe out the waffenamps on the reciever.

[TOM R]

think they were blued but look black, mine is ww2 and has original bluing, if you cold blue just recoat till it is black, I redid a mossburg this way

[ak47dennis]

Most of the 42’s were blued from the factory or re-blued in the field at a local facility.
I do have a few original parts that are wearing what looks to be a light parkerizing.

My 42 blued perfectly with none of the weld showing here is what I did:
-After all the metal work was completed and receiver sanded with many fine grits of sand paper it then got bead blasted.
-It then soaked in Browells steel white rust and blue remover for ½ hour at the recommended temperature. To make sure it was squeaky clean and any traces of old finish were gone, what emerged was receiver that now was all gray colored and uniform.
-Was delivered the next day to my bluing guy, it was run thru his degreaser and spent about 20 minutes in the blue tank. The results was perfect satiny black receiver and the trunion turned a burgundy since its hardened just like the extractor on a k98. The only components blued (other then the receiver) was my grip stick and bolt body, the rest of the parts still have 90% or better of the original salt blued type finish which I am found of so I left them alone.

[Abwehr]

I have seen a photo of an original late war bringback and it had the plain phosphate finish. This was the grey looking color on the receiver, but the top cover was blued. In Myrvang's (spelling?) book I think he has a photo and a small caption on this gun. If my memory serves me correct, he does a short discussion on the different finishes. The only thing about the "Collector Grade" books is a lack of an index; it is tough looking up info!

If you don't have this book, it is worth buying. Not a lot of technical build info, but very enjoyable reading about it's history.

[ak47dennis]

Abwehr, I think your right I also saw a late "45" like this. But elsewhere in Myrvang's (spelling, me to) book it pictures a early production known original bring back that features a blued receiver and wears phosphate finish on the top cover and a few other parts, this is what I patterned mine after.

[Abwehr]

I am surprised that the Germans did not use more of the Phosphate finish on the MG42! It is a good finish that protects the metal, and I think looks good too!

I wonder if they did not use it much on the MG42 because the light color may reflect light and reveal an MG position???? The black would help hide the gun better, but I have seen a lot of photos with the gun on the Steppes of Russia and it stood out like a sore thumb. OF course, most military guns still have the dark "color" even if Parkerized.

[TOM R]

guys I've said it before and i'll say it again, ain't nothin as purty as a well blued gun except one with polished brass and bluing

[Abwehr]

Tom R,

AMEN Brother! I fully agree with you on this. A high quality bluing is beautiful. The Phosphate and Pererized finishes are good for military purposes to retard rust, but the pre war German rifles, pistols, and machine guns were very nicely blued.

[Reichpapers]

Most of the 42’s were blued from the factory or re-blued in the field at a local facility.
I do have a few original parts that are wearing what looks to be a light parkerizing.

My 42 blued perfectly with none of the weld showing here is what I did:
-After all the metal work was completed and receiver sanded with many fine grits of sand paper it then got bead blasted.
-It then soaked in Browells steel white rust and blue remover for ½ hour at the recommended temperature. To make sure it was squeaky clean and any traces of old finish were gone, what emerged was receiver that now was all gray colored and uniform.
-Was delivered the next day to my bluing guy, it was run thru his degreaser and spent about 20 minutes in the blue tank. The results was perfect satiny black receiver and the trunion turned a burgundy since its hardened just like the extractor on a k98. The only components blued (other then the receiver) was my grip stick and bolt body, the rest of the parts still have 90% or better of the original salt blued type finish which I am found of so I left them alone.

I always wondered how it would have turned out if we removed the grey.

[Jason]

my reciever was sandblasted. the top cover had a black phosphate coating as did the grip stick, and the bbl is blued. I found some pics with the reciever and top cover finished in different colors and I think that is the way to go (very sexy)

[Bullwinkle]

Ya know....I like the original and would want one sample looking factory new..BUT, I was THINKING..... how about a PIMPED Mg42??? Stainless/Brushed nickel reciever with Black barrel, blk grips and maybe a black top cover and Blk stock....maybe even Chrome the recv'r!!!

(Just JOKING...PLEEZE don't DEMOAT me Her Oberfurher for my sacrilege!!!)

[TOM R]

bullwinkle, you would definitly get everyones atten at the range, think more of a point and stare with a what the *&%$ is that thing???

[Reichpapers]

Whoa now...it ain't pimp until you add the some gold.

[Jason]

I suppose you cant forget the rails for flashlights, lasers, and aimpoint

[Reichpapers]

...or a pin on muzzle brake and a picture of your dog carved in the stock.

[Bullwinkle]

Can I mount the sights HOMIE style??????? you know, on the left side of the receiver so when I hold it tilted to the side the sights still line Up..?

Maybe even a small red or blue LED light package along the barrel inside the receiver to give it that extra touch....! :twisted:

[TOM R]

dog carved in the stock that anin't pimped thats hick , although i almost bought a shotgun with the stock done up like that thought it looked kind of nice