Correct metal finish for Longbranch.

Bluing

The changeover to parkerizing (phosphate) occurred in late 1950.

A parkerized/phosphated Longbranch is an FTR or refinish.

After approx. 1946 Long Branch stopped marking rebuilt guns thru the British style FTR markings.
 
My unissued 1950 Long Branch was blued and a very good bluing job was done compared to wartime British Enfields.

As an American I always thought the Canadian No.4 Enfields were very well made and finished.
 
!? I thought all No4 Mk1's were suncorite finished aside from the Savage parked ones! I hate to ask, but you guys aren't confusing suncorite to blueing are you?
No, Longbranch rifles are blued and later parkerized, some are even blued with parkerized parts.
 
!? I thought all No4 Mk1's were suncorite finished aside from the Savage parked ones! I hate to ask, but you guys aren't confusing suncorite to blueing are you?

Suncorite paint was noting more than a extension of the painting used during WWII to prevent corrosion that also covered the receiver. And it was applied over bluing or parkerizing and no metal parts were painted in the white without bluing or parkerizing. I had a 1950 South African No.4 that was just painted with black enamel that started to come off when I was rubbing the action down with Kroil a penetrating oil. I also had a 1953 FTR No.1 Enfield rifle dated 1917 that was painted with Suncorite paint and fitted with all new parts except for the receiver.

From the end of WWII to the early 1950s the British and Commonwealth nations were in transition and recovering from WWII and used the old stocks of paints and supplies until exhausted. The only differences was Suncorite paint was similar to a bullet proof epoxy paint used on aircraft today for corrosion purposes.
 
:cheers: Ed. Now that you mention it, I recall that the metal isn't in the bright under the suncorite...blued steel. So the brits took an additional step in finishing that the U.S. and Canada didn't?

Yes and no, Long Branch never used suncorite and the British started sometime in 1950. All I can think of is the British ate more fish and chips and had more salt on their hands than you Canadians and they painted their receivers.
 
The only fish and chips I eat is at Crazy Norwegian's place off Highway 101 in Port Orford OR, although there was a place in Merrickville ON that did a pretty convincing job at one time.

tac
 
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