Re-bluing an Enfield?

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello All,

As you may have noticed, I am restoring a Lee Enfield. Most of the bluing is gone on it's metal, and I was looking for a gun smith/someone else who can do a proper hot re-bluing/medium polish.

I know Ellwood Epps in Ontario does it, but does anyone know of someone who can do a good, reasonable job here in Alberta or in B.C./Sask? Please note, I have no issues sending it out East to be done, but would like to know of someone here in the province.

Thanks guys,
D
 
I'd leave it as it is , myself , abit of grey should give it a unique patina .
I suggest you simply clean it and think about it...it might just grow on you.
But ...
Wipe the metal down with methal hydrate ( also known as de-natured alcholhol - found at any place that sells paint ).
This will clean off any oils , then take some blueing paste and do it yourself for a fraction of the cost and time....what do you got to lose ? No need to remove what's left of the original finish , go right over top of it.

As good as it is to see a Lee Enfield being restored...it is what it is and not original.
 
Hmm. Ok, thanks! Just wondering why the pits need to be buffed out? Instead, just use a rust removing solution that removes the oxidization in the pits, as well as the old bluing, then hot re-blue everything?

To granite: Are you offering, sounds like YOU can do hot bluing... ;) If you are interested, please PM me.
 
It usually comes up on threads like this that one should not touch the original patina. I like restoring milsurps and will leave them in the original finish if I can. The ones that are put together from mismatched parts and require major cosmetic repairs from their sporter days, I like to finish them to look as though they just came out of the factory. I have a couple that I would like to parkerize but am too cheap. Hot oil blackening is cheap and easy for small parts and looks great.
I have a nice LB that came to me as just a barreled action. I put all new unissued parts on it and touched up the blueing. That's how it should look.
 
Is this a restoration or a matter of making a working rifle more durable and more tidy looking?
 
Just making it look more tidy, it's a SMLE sporter I brought back and put into full military configuration again, however the metal has little finish left on it.
 
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