Finishes and Markings

[edelweiss]

My Century Sterling TYPE II has a flat finish, Im guessing its some type of parkerizing. I know that many F/A Sterlings have a crinkle finish but Im pretty sure I read some where that at least some of the F/A guns were parkerized. I cant remember if it had something to do with military issued guns or exported guns. Ive got a SBRd WLA (TYPE I) coming from one dealer to another. When the paperwork get finished Im thinking about having the TYPE II converted to a L34a1, what finish did they have???


Also selector markings on my TYPE II are just stamped into the metal. Ive seen pictures where they were coloured red and white. Any suggestions how to best accomplish this. When I was in the military I remember our unit armorers, using "white out" on the serial number of our rifles to make it easier to read. They just brushed a glob of liquid white out across the serial number then wiped off the excess. It made the serial number easier to see but left a smear of white on the receiver. Is there any way to just fill in the A R S? What colour(s) are correct.

[Commander bond]

It made the serial number easier to see but left a smear of white on the receiver.

Use a tight wad of cotton or cloth with rubbing alcohol to remove excess smear.

[Vegas SMG]

Originally Posted by edelweiss

My Century Sterling TYPE II has a flat finish, Im guessing its some type of parkerizing. I know that many F/A Sterlings have a crinkle finish but Im pretty sure I read some where that at least some of the F/A guns were parkerized. I cant remember if it had something to do with military issued guns or exported guns. Ive got a SBRd WLA (TYPE I) coming from one dealer to another. When the paperwork get finished Im thinking about having the TYPE II converted to a L34a1, what finish did they have???

The majority of the guns used by the UK military featured a matt black Sunkorite finish while most of the export guns had the crackle finish applied at the factory. Sterling would build guns in most any configuration a foreign customer requested, but the Sunkorite finish is typically found only on guns used by the Brits. In any case, none were parkerized and the Century finish isn't correct.

You'd do well to buy a copy of the book, The Guns of Dagenham. It's considered the Sterling bible and worth every penny. It covers many questions you didn't know you had.

The 2nd and 3rd L2A3s from the bottom feature the Sunkorite type finish. It's hard to tell what it looks like unless you see one in person. It's smooth and slightly shiny. The 2nd gun from the bottom is catching some glare from the sun and doesn't accurately represent the Sunkorite finish.

[sterlgrl]

Originally Posted by edelweiss

Also selector markings on my TYPE II are just stamped into the metal. Ive seen pictures where they were coloured red and white. Any suggestions how to best accomplish this.

<snip>

Is there any way to just fill in the A R S? What colour(s) are correct.

If you like, I can tell you how, if you haven't got me on ignore, or something.

Here below are my two threads, with pics, about my Wiselite refinsh job.

first thread - with pics - my first attempt

here is the second thread - with pics - on my Wiselit makeover

With time the finish has settled down and evened out. It looks much better now than it did when I took those pictures.

[nfafan]

I like what Sterlgirl did with the PJ11 Fastblack - if I end up with the Erb Stenling, I would go that route if the Erb park looks like crap.

[sterlgrl]

Thanks nfafan.