No1 MK3 green paint
- Thread starter stsfld66
- Start date
likely corrosion prevention, green paint was used on several SMLE's which were intended to be used in very humid climate. But, IIRC, the shade of green was not the same as that, and I don't know if paint was used on other parts than the receiver and barrel.
Lou is right on. The corrosion protective paint is found in various shades of crappy khaki looking green applied carefully with a brush.
This John Deer green paint looks to be spray bomb = My bet is on Bubba.
This John Deer green paint looks to be spray bomb = My bet is on Bubba.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Inside of a lithgow nose cap I bought to desporter a no.1 lithgow had green paint brushed on it but it was more of a lighter od green colour.
The original was likely Zinc Chromate paint; it was used a lot for corrosion prevention on aircraft and marine parts. You can still get spray stuff from Amazon: ttps://www.amazon.ca/Zinc-Chromate-Primers-Green-Primer/dp/B000N8LR24
Several years ago i bought a lot of parts, all ex Ishapore DP and some had remnants of a similar shade of green.
I also bought a Ishapore .410 musket last year and again the same shade of green.
Over the years i would say i have seen at least 3 shades of protective paint.
I bought one of the Lithgow rifles from Lovetts in Kitchener. The last 10 or so inches was dipped in yellow paint. I was told it was Cadet use only. It had a dark bore.
I think tatou is absolutely right. Your SMLE went through and Indian aresenal at some point and had the bright green paint applied under the wood line for corrosion prevention. The Australian rifles I’ve seen it done to have a flatter olive shade of green paint and usually have a an upper case P stamped on the Knox form. I don’t think any of that paint was applied by bubba, my best guess anyway!
