What the original finish on G1's

[Stg 58]

zinc phosphate of paint over phosphate?

[DABTL]

One of mine had a new barrel on it. You can clearly see where it was painted over parking. The paint ended at the FH.

I am painting the barrel for the Williams receiver. I think that will be the best match.

[Gavin]

What colour paint?
also... BILL - your pic link is broken, the dreaded red X syndrome.
Gavin

[EMDII]

Black satin black (or semi-gloss) over parkerizing on the two samples I handled at Tapco.

However, pictures in Stevens seem to indicate a straight Parkerizing for many!

[LVACGAR]

I'll have to post pics soon, but my first G1 upper was completely refinished. The barrel (#2498) is new. I have not cleaned it yet to determine if the paint stops at the FH.

Appears at this time to be painted. The only wear on this upper is the sight ear corners. Nice cartouches on the barrel! Wish I had the lower to this rifle!

[ricochet]

I got 3 kits, of these 2 were painted (barrels) and 1 was just grey park. The 2 painted barrels were as new, or close, the parked one had more wear and had been handled a lot. All 3 of my lowers were strictly park, with wear and beat up buttplates. I wish I could buy more, the barrels were my biggest concern, I just wish I could figure out how to remove the quick detach brake. I expected pitted barrels, I am happy with mine. :D
As the post before me, I wish I had got the lower that was with these barrels, but I am not complaining. I will use the British Sten paint on mine (from DSA), IT SEEMS TO BE VERY TUFF STUFF, and matches fairly well.

[gunhead]

Hi STG;
Mine(G1) has all the finish & its all parkerized, both Barrel, associated parts, remainder of the Recvr & the lower. I do not see paint anywhere :cool:
GL.......

[Stg 58]

While cleaning my kits it seems like my lowers are blued.I also notice the black paint on the portion where the FH covered.
lookig at the picture ib the Fal Bible it seem that they are zinc phosphate but the pitures on gunthing clearly show what appears to be black paint on the type 2 one.Trying to make mine as authentic as can be so kinda nitpicking. Thanks

[DABTL]

I found shellac on one of my lowers. Probably from refinishing the buttstock, however. Maybe a fully shellaced FAL would look interesting?

I think the finish probably started out as all parking with some being painted along the way. Definitely the Turks painted rather than park again to repair worn units.

For the sort of clone/original look I am going to park one and not paint.

The one I am building on the Williams will ultimately have a DSA LW lower and I will paint that gun where it is not anodized. I may have to anodize the lower to match the receiver if DSA is not a close color match.

I figured the FN barrels were worth close to the price of the kit alone.

[usmc326]

Most early G3's(H&K-91 type) were finished in zinc phosphate(gray) too.
Probably because of the time frame.

The first manganese phosphate(black) I
encountered were on the non-Ingram MAC's, some Vietnam-era M14 mags, and post-Vietnam bayonets.

I'll bet Buddie or Bill at Tapco could give a year that manganese phosphate
started being used.