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Post by 6thairborne on Dec 14, 2006 5:29:12 GMT 1
I just received a Mk 1 bipod to continue replacing all of the mk 2 parts on my Mk1 bren, the bipod is parkerized all over (with various bsa markings) is this a correct finish for Mk1 bipods or were they blued? I saw an old post regarding painting of bipods also....any input as to the correct finish for this bipod is appreciated. cheers Tony Standefer www.6th-airborne.org |
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Post by woodsy on Dec 14, 2006 7:25:04 GMT 1
The finish on the early BSA Mk I bipods was a slightly matte blue. I suspect these were done by the old 'browning' process (which BSA were well set up for) rather than the more modern hot caustic method which is more of a blue-black finish. The early Mk I guns were a matching blue finish. I am not sure when UK Bren production went to a Parkerised finsh (perhaps Kev can help?) but the Inglis and Lithgow guns were Parkerised (with the possible exception of their early production).
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Post by tom on Dec 14, 2006 12:15:51 GMT 1
Not being at home, does anyone have the ACI or LoC that refers to painting bipods to hand?
ATB
Tom
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Post by 6thairborne on Dec 16, 2006 1:02:29 GMT 1
so I gather it should be "blued" rather than parkerized? does anyone have any input as to whether having the bipod reblued over parkerizing will work??
or I could paint it?
cheers
Tony
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Post by woodsy on Dec 16, 2006 2:04:24 GMT 1
Whilst hot caustic bulueing can be used over Parkerising, the result is quite dark and would not look right. Ideally you should strip the bipod out to its individual parts and hand polish them with wet & dry paper, finishing with 600 grit. Don't use a polishing wheel as the result will not look original. Take the parts to a gunsmith who speciallises in refinishing good English shotguns. He will be able to give them the correct 'browned' finish. You could use a good cold blue soloution but they do not wear well with handling.
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Post by jumpinghat on Dec 16, 2006 13:35:15 GMT 1
I have an Aussie bipod that has been painted a matt green...... well it looks matt green after all the crud has been removed! Still in the throws of getting it restored to a good condition..... done after issue from the factory at some point?
cheers
J
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Post by tom on Dec 17, 2006 13:15:45 GMT 1
Yeah, theres a Army Council Instruction (sorry don't have it to hand) that allows painting of Bipods. Infact I think theres one ordering the painting of everything if they can't be browned or what ever.
I'm pretty sure the Instructions for Armourers 1931 Bren supplements lists the finish of each part and which ones are just polished etc. And unless I've totally lost it theres the recipes/methods for the various surface treatments in the appendix of the Main Text?
Herself turned them into Word Documents so could some one cut and paste them onto the forum please?
It's a bugger not being at our own computer.
ATB
Tom
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Post by 6thairborne on Dec 17, 2006 19:10:09 GMT 1
so any guidance as to what color of paint to paint my bipod? I thought this would be a good short term solution, is black acceptable?? it would probably match my bren better than the parkerizing. cheers Tony www.6th-airborne.org |
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Post by Kev on Dec 17, 2006 20:02:07 GMT 1
Thanks for the clue Tom ;D  |
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Post by Kev on Dec 17, 2006 20:08:19 GMT 1
 Just got to trawl for ACI 2063 , back in a few hours  |
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Post by tom on Dec 18, 2006 11:50:25 GMT 1
Yup a flat/matt black enamel would be the same as they used back then.
ATB
Tom
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