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Who can do the WWII "green" parkerization?
12/1/2011 12:13:19 AM
I am looking for someone who can reparkerize a M1 in the origional WWII "green" style. Does anyone know someone who can do that for a reasonable price who also has reasonable turne around (at most 1-2 months) and doesn't sand blast the hell out of the markings?
12/1/2011 12:25:51 AM
Not what you asked but have you considered something else - like Norrels Moly coat? You can do it yourself for not much money.
If not, sorry I do not know who can do the park job you require. 
12/1/2011 1:27:32 AM
I would do that except I am looking for an authentic refinish job. I am planning on rebuilding the rifle and putting it away as I have another shooter M1 that I can take to the range and wear out.
12/1/2011 5:28:37 AM
12/1/2011 9:02:50 AM
From Orion's website:
Parkerizing: Sorry, due to the limited number of rifles we can parkerize during our current work schedule, we will only offer this service in conjunction with our full rebuild General upgrade package. This may change in the future if we decide to offer parkerizing as a high volume service. Please do not ask us to just parkerize your rifle or a few parts.
12/1/2011 11:05:01 AM
The "green" patina can be reliably reproduced using techniques developed by certain Garand guys (JAS being one of them).
I think JAS preps his own personal work with aluminum oxide. (He does not work commercially and is not an FFL).
You might find THIS thread interesting.
Someone in the thread recommended THESE GUYS.
Good luck.
I think JAS preps his own personal work with aluminum oxide. (He does not work commercially and is not an FFL).
You might find THIS thread interesting.
Someone in the thread recommended THESE GUYS.
Good luck.
12/1/2011 11:19:42 AM
I was under the impression that original WWII Garands were all parkerized in a black coloration, which over time and covered in storage grease turned a greenish hue. Doesn't mean that someone couldn't reproduce that green hue....but I thought the original rifles were parked black.
12/1/2011 6:50:58 PM
James River Armory can do a correct restoration or just the re-parkerizing.
You can read details here.
You can read details here.
12/2/2011 11:48:30 AM
Originally Posted By dvo:
I was under the impression that original WWII Garands were all parkerized in a black coloration, which over time and covered in storage grease turned a greenish hue. Doesn't mean that someone couldn't reproduce that green hue....but I thought the original rifles were parked black.
I was under the impression that original WWII Garands were all parkerized in a black coloration, which over time and covered in storage grease turned a greenish hue. Doesn't mean that someone couldn't reproduce that green hue....but I thought the original rifles were parked black.
Correct, but I think some guys have found a chemical to add to the park mix to get the green appearance. I don't know how close of a match it is.
12/11/2011 8:44:33 PM
Shuffs parkerizing
12/11/2011 9:36:00 PM
I always thought that the greenish hue was from the park chemicals wearing out over successive lots of rifles going through them. Kinda like how you get purplish lowers from the aluminum oxidizing mix as it gets weaker
12/12/2011 12:18:37 AM
Green parkerizing was fairly common back in the late 80's and early 90's. When Blue Sky was bringing in M1 rifles and carbines, a lot of guys were looking to restore them. A common misconception was that the green tint was period correct. No exactly, but guys with the skills to do so were happy to provide the service.
12/12/2011 9:05:20 PM
There were a couple guys who used to advertise in the shotgun news years ago that offered green parkerizing.
One guy rubbed green food coloring into the dry parkerizing before oiling it down.
The other rubbed cosmoline on the dry parkerized finish & wrapped the parts in wax paper for 4-6 months.
Don't know if either worked & adding chemicals to the parkerizing tank was never done either.
.
12/13/2011 1:47:43 AM
I once read somewhere that a chromic acid rinse done right after the park caused the greenish color.
12/13/2011 10:11:19 AM
Contact Victor at US Anodizing.I seem to remember in a conversation I had with him that he also does parking,not sure if he can match the green you want,but worth a call anyway.
1/14/2012 9:41:58 PM
The reason for the Green on the original old Garands as well as other older American Military weapons was years of storage in grease. They were generally parkerized in a grey color at the armory. I have seen Garands, M1903s, M1917s and others all exhibiting this green tint. From what I understand it can be faked or replicated with chemicals added to the park solution but the only way to get the actual color or patina is to park in the grey and then store in grease/oil.
1/14/2012 11:09:15 PM
Because this thread came up, I've also noticed that repeated applications of BLO has turned the rear hand guard band ever so slightly a greenish tint, but it is noticeable.
1/14/2012 11:23:03 PM
Check out this link. http://shuffsparkerizing.com/services/parkerizing/. Tim does great work and he really pays attention to detail by breaking your M1 down compelely and sand blasting and reparking every part. He offers two different types of fininsh and I believe you maybe interested in the zinc finish as it was more common for WWII rifles. Take a look at his image gallery. His turn around time is very fast. I had him refinish a carbine for me and it turned out great. I hope this helps.
1/14/2012 11:31:17 PM
I have also heard that grey park and cosmoline then heat it in an oven, but it still won't look like this that has been that way for many years.
1/14/2012 11:35:18 PM
The green is from "aged" cosmoline
1/15/2012 9:21:21 AM
Originally Posted By Angry-American:
The reason for the Green on the original old Garands as well as other older American Military weapons was years of storage in grease. They were generally parkerized in a grey color at the armory. I have seen Garands, M1903s, M1917s and others all exhibiting this green tint. From what I understand it can be faked or replicated with chemicals added to the park solution but the only way to get the actual color or patina is to park in the grey and then store in grease/oil.
The reason for the Green on the original old Garands as well as other older American Military weapons was years of storage in grease. They were generally parkerized in a grey color at the armory. I have seen Garands, M1903s, M1917s and others all exhibiting this green tint. From what I understand it can be faked or replicated with chemicals added to the park solution but the only way to get the actual color or patina is to park in the grey and then store in grease/oil.
This. Years of storage covered with cosmoline causes the green tint.
1/16/2012 10:56:56 PM
Ok thanks for the help. Interestingly I have started to notice my WWII spec Springfield 1911A1 starting to take on a green hue since I always coat it in CLP after cleaning and have never degreased it. Like I said its very slight but under florecent lighting you can notice it. The gun was made in 2003 and I have had it since then.
1/17/2012 8:23:05 PM
Originally Posted By m1garand__man:
Ok thanks for the help. Interestingly I have started to notice my WWII spec Springfield 1911A1 starting to take on a green hue since I always coat it in CLP after cleaning and have never degreased it. Like I said its very slight but under florecent lighting you can notice it. The gun was made in 2003 and I have had it since then.
Ok thanks for the help. Interestingly I have started to notice my WWII spec Springfield 1911A1 starting to take on a green hue since I always coat it in CLP after cleaning and have never degreased it. Like I said its very slight but under florecent lighting you can notice it. The gun was made in 2003 and I have had it since then.
It would be very hard to tell on that weapon as it was parked much darker than the average WWII weapon which was usually grey, not black or dark grey like you normally see on new weapons.
1/19/2012 8:20:44 PM
Original 1945 Garands are pretty consistently a light grey, with some parts, including the op rod and barrel, a darker gray. Color photos in the latest Garand Collectors Association magazine. The light gray doesn't get green with age, I have 1945 ones from brand new to a bit beat up and they only get a bit darker, but not greenish. I picked up a few from CMP, I think most people believe they are reparks when they are not. I have a 1944 that is pretty green, though. They must have changed the formula in late 44 or early 45.
1/19/2012 9:21:21 PM
I've read and seen Shuff's Refinishing/Parkerizing can replicate WW-II Green finishes.
http://shuffsparkerizing.com/
No personal experience or connection with them.
http://shuffsparkerizing.com/
No personal experience or connection with them.
1/20/2012 4:43:06 PM
Originally Posted By rg303:
Original 1945 Garands are pretty consistently a light grey, with some parts, including the op rod and barrel, a darker gray. Color photos in the latest Garand Collectors Association magazine. The light gray doesn't get green with age, I have 1945 ones from brand new to a bit beat up and they only get a bit darker, but not greenish. I picked up a few from CMP, I think most people believe they are reparks when they are not. I have a 1944 that is pretty green, though. They must have changed the formula in late 44 or early 45.
Original 1945 Garands are pretty consistently a light grey, with some parts, including the op rod and barrel, a darker gray. Color photos in the latest Garand Collectors Association magazine. The light gray doesn't get green with age, I have 1945 ones from brand new to a bit beat up and they only get a bit darker, but not greenish. I picked up a few from CMP, I think most people believe they are reparks when they are not. I have a 1944 that is pretty green, though. They must have changed the formula in late 44 or early 45.
I can agree on the formula change, as it seems the rifles that I see with this green patina are usually older Garands (Pre 45) and other rifles such as 1903's, M1917's and the like. Its usually also not consistent among all the parts of the rifle either, usually the receiver and a few other parts will have the patina but other items such as the barrel will not from what I have seen and experienced.
1/21/2012 1:09:26 AM
Originally Posted By Angry-American:
It would be very hard to tell on that weapon as it was parked much darker than the average WWII weapon which was usually grey, not black or dark grey like you normally see on new weapons.
Originally Posted By m1garand__man:
Ok thanks for the help. Interestingly I have started to notice my WWII spec Springfield 1911A1 starting to take on a green hue since I always coat it in CLP after cleaning and have never degreased it. Like I said its very slight but under florecent lighting you can notice it. The gun was made in 2003 and I have had it since then.
Ok thanks for the help. Interestingly I have started to notice my WWII spec Springfield 1911A1 starting to take on a green hue since I always coat it in CLP after cleaning and have never degreased it. Like I said its very slight but under florecent lighting you can notice it. The gun was made in 2003 and I have had it since then.
It would be very hard to tell on that weapon as it was parked much darker than the average WWII weapon which was usually grey, not black or dark grey like you normally see on new weapons.
The 1911 I have has a much lighter park very similar to the WWII one. Its more of a meduim grey than a black.
1/21/2012 1:10:12 AM
Originally Posted By Angry-American:
I can agree on the formula change, as it seems the rifles that I see with this green patina are usually older Garands (Pre 45) and other rifles such as 1903's, M1917's and the like. Its usually also not consistent among all the parts of the rifle either, usually the receiver and a few other parts will have the patina but other items such as the barrel will not from what I have seen and experienced.
Originally Posted By rg303:
Original 1945 Garands are pretty consistently a light grey, with some parts, including the op rod and barrel, a darker gray. Color photos in the latest Garand Collectors Association magazine. The light gray doesn't get green with age, I have 1945 ones from brand new to a bit beat up and they only get a bit darker, but not greenish. I picked up a few from CMP, I think most people believe they are reparks when they are not. I have a 1944 that is pretty green, though. They must have changed the formula in late 44 or early 45.
Original 1945 Garands are pretty consistently a light grey, with some parts, including the op rod and barrel, a darker gray. Color photos in the latest Garand Collectors Association magazine. The light gray doesn't get green with age, I have 1945 ones from brand new to a bit beat up and they only get a bit darker, but not greenish. I picked up a few from CMP, I think most people believe they are reparks when they are not. I have a 1944 that is pretty green, though. They must have changed the formula in late 44 or early 45.
I can agree on the formula change, as it seems the rifles that I see with this green patina are usually older Garands (Pre 45) and other rifles such as 1903's, M1917's and the like. Its usually also not consistent among all the parts of the rifle either, usually the receiver and a few other parts will have the patina but other items such as the barrel will not from what I have seen and experienced.
+1
