Parkerizing colours for Inglis Hi-Powers

Lee Enfield

Lee Enfield

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A friend of mine has 2 T series Inglis Hi-Powers with bright serials. One of them is greyish, and the other is black WITHOUT the greenish cast.

I would have suggested that the "black" one was a repark, except it still has most of the decal remaining.

Any other colour variations observed?
 
All the original HP'S I've seen were grey. That'd be parkerizing. The black colour is black phosphating. Green parkerizing is the result of long term storage in cosmoline.
 
Had these pics up before, but just to show, the HP 6T series, on the right is absolutely new, unissued, complete with about 90% original decal. Never fired and only touched by vestil virgins:p .

The one on the left was parked in Dec of 2005, 3 months ago, and has one of my decals on it for shoots and giggles.

Not a lot of difference. Both are kind of a dark almost black grey. The pictures accurately depict the colour and how close they are. My description is that they look like could have come off the same assembly line, that's how close they are. But were finished 61 years apart.

hp1.jpg
 
Koldt, Thats an early slide on the bottom one, what was the original serial # if it's still visable? does it have the * handstamped or rolled as an original part of the markings?

My CH has a nice green cast to it, while my T slide is grey...
 
Both slides are the same, Mk1* roll stamped.

The bottom one, which is my shooter, started life as a Belgian with a German waffle stamp. It was in rough shape with some strong pitting. Someone previous to me did a heavy polish and re-blue. The original barrel and slide have found new homes.

I found this slide and barrel seperate at a show and both had their #s machined off, appears by the CF. A buddy of mine blasted the complete new gun, and did the re-park on it. There are some traces of the pitting on the lower but I think it came out excellent.

It's now my service shooter, while the unfired will stay that way hanging on the wall in my Canadian collection.

I also had my C1 SMG re-parked and after it was finished, I did the old trick of coating it with 30w oil and baking for about an hour.. It came out of my oven with a greenish tone to it. Looks good I think.
 
Here's a 1945 Mk1* that ~Angel~ bought from another CGN member. Don't know what the color is called, but it's supposed to be all original.

Inglis4.jpg


Hope this helps.......

Regards,
Badger
 
Hello, Just found the site and want to compliment on the beautiful guns. Wonderful!!

Can I find a contact for the decals? Also does anyone have a contact for the lanyard swivels and rings? Many Thanks

Bruce
 
BruceHMX said:
Can I find a contact for the decals? Also does anyone have a contact for the lanyard swivels and rings? Many Thanks
Bruce
Click to expand...

Depends. We work best on the barter system here. Whatcha got to trade:D ?
 
Not a problem. I've been collecting pre and post war S&W revolvers for many years. Usually have a stash of stuff for them. Have a few Enfield items as well. I'm getting ready to build an Inglis with Indian Ord parts. Thought it would look nice with the decal.

Thanks
Bruce
 
Bruce,

I think that I may have a spare lanyard ring and hoop stashed away. It may take me a while to turn them up, as I am still in the process of (slowly) unpacking boxes post-move. If you don't turn one up, give me a shout and I will see what I can do for you.

Cheers,
 
Thats not all original. Since the decal is a repro, its my guess that the pistol has been refinished.


BadgerDog said:
Here's a 1945 Mk1* that ~Angel~ bought from another CGN member. Don't know what the color is called, but it's supposed to be all original.

Inglis4.jpg


Hope this helps.......

Regards,
Badger
Click to expand...
 
john@ said:
Thats not all original. Since the decal is a repro, its my guess that the pistol has been refinished.
Click to expand...

Yup, you're right........

I simply assumed everyone knew that the decal was a reproduction, as it's obviously bright and new, plus they've been openly sold here by another CGN member to Inglis collectors for the last year. :D

I believe your guess about it being refinished is incorrect. Although I'm not an expert on these old girls, I was issued one in the early 1960's and wore it for four years as my principal sidearm. The finish looks the same to me, plus it was purchased as a collectible from another CGN member who has a stellar reputation. He collects these pieces and assured ~Angel~, that with the exception of the repro decal that was bought on CGN, this piece is all original and correct with matching components. When it arrived, I stripped and checked it against the following Collector Grade Publications (click here):http://www.collectorgrade.com/

The Browning High Power Automatic Pistol
by R Blake Stevens
Expanded Edition 1990
306 pages, 313 illustrations

Inglis Diamond - The Canadian High Power Pistol
by Clive M Law
Deluxe First Edition, 2001
312 pages, 379 illustrations

Based upon those, I'd say it's exactly what the seller claimed it to be.

You seem to be pretty knowledgeable on these. Can you share with us pics of your Inglis collection?

Thanks for the feedback........ :)

Regards,
Badger
 
Sure I can post a few pics. My 1T is about as good as Colts 6T, but with about 50% decal and possibly a bit more garrison wear. It must have been fired, but I dont know how to tell for sure.

As to this one, I'm not an expert either, but I think I've handled it in person. Correct me if I'm wrong, but was it being offered for sale at the last HMCS in Ancaster? Either way, one simple way to know if -angels- has been refinished is to examine the serial number in the frame and the slide. Is it in the white?

I'll probably have some pics up later in the week. Actually I was planning to post a question about how best to preserve whats left of the decal on my 1T as I plan to use it as my main 9mm. When I get around to it I'll post the link here.
 
Hello John,

I am the person who sold the Inglis to ~Angel~.
I must commend you on your Zen-like powers of assessment and and your uncanny ability to appraise the originality of an item by looking at a single picture. You should apply for a position on the Antiques Road Show.
I realise that these pistols look very much alike, but please rest assured that this piece has never been anywhere near Ancaster. (Unless that is near the old Inglis plant) and has certainly never seen a gun show.
I have, like Badger had considerable experience with Inglis Hi-Powers and (with the exception of the decal which is a Headdamage repro as it was declared upon sale) can confidently say that the sidearm is 100% original and correct. Of course I did not own it from new but, upon detailed examination, (That is-not looking at a picture) all of the indications are that it has never been refinished, repaired or messed with. It has been fired, I put a few mags through it.
I am certain that if you had the opportunity to examine it that you would come to the same conclusion. As always, if ~Angel~ was to express any reservations about the originality of the piece I would gladly buy it back.

Regards,
Leftent

BTW: The best and only way to preserve the decal on your Inglis is to put it in a box and never handle it.

Those who live in Vancouver may remember back in the early 80's when Alan Lever had dozens of mint Belgian issue Inglises for sale complete with their matching spare mags. To prevent the mags from being separated from their guns he taped them on to the pistol grip with adhesive tape...right over the decals. They were fragile things and were never meant to stand up to any amount of handling.
 
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A coincidence then. There was a minty looking Inglis at the Ancaster show last month that was refinished and had a headamage decal on it, the seller was trying to pass it off as 100% original. If not you, maybe it was -angel-? Haha just kidding. But seriously though, you thoroughly put me in my place without answering the one simple question which would solve this puzzle beyond a doubt. You're playing with me right?
 
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