Auction House swjXE-5768T

[Caesar1]

I like it! I don’t think that the finish is so bad that you should re-phosphate it. It could end up looking worse??

 

[Mike2994]

I like it! I don’t think that the finish is so bad that you should re-phosphate it. It could end up looking worse??

After working on it with vinegar and a towel since I posted the pics I think I agree with you. I have most of the cold blue gone and the phosphate is showing again pretty well. Day and night. Getting the cold blue out of the machining marks will be the challenging part

 

[Absolut]

After working on it with vinegar and a towel since I posted the pics I think I agree with you. I have most of the cold blue gone and the phosphate is showing again pretty well. Day and night. Getting the cold blue out of the machining marks will be the challenging part

Told you it was cold blue . Happy to hear I was right. Looking forward to see the comparison pictures.

Even not considering this: I'd never refinish it. Any future owner can still do this, but you can never undo this. There are very few cases where a refinish is the best option, and there are very few cases to which this applies (for example if an item is already refinished, but wrongly like dip blued, etc.).

PS: Since the rear sight base itself is not serialized, welding on a ring might turn out to be worse than to just replace the rear sight base with another phosphate one, especially since you'll have to refinish just the handguard retaining portion. Just a personal thought ..

 

[Mike2994]

Told you it was cold blue . Happy to hear I was right. Looking forward to see the comparison pictures.

Even not considering this: I'd never refinish it. Any future owner can still do this, but you can never undo this. There are very few cases where a refinish is the best option, and there are very few cases to which this applies (for example if an item is already refinished, but wrongly like dip blued, etc.).

PS: Since the rear sight base itself is not serialized, welding on a ring might turn out to be worse than to just replace the rear sight base with another phosphate one, especially since you'll have to refinish just the handguard retaining portion. Just a personal thought ..

Georg, I'm very glad that you were right!

I'm definitely debating the rear sight base problem, my welder said he can do it without problem. But that is still a debate, I may have him try it and worse comes to worse I'll replace the sight base.

Here are a few pics of the progress so far, looks a lot better in person. Will be working on it some more when I get back today, took a lot of blue out of the metal. Barrel is the main part that needs work as of right now.

 

[mrfarb]

I was presented a similar problem with the sporterized one I have but it was refinished too - I’d say so as little as possible and see how it looks, you can always go forward but never back. Wish I had a base for you, at one time I did have a worn phosphate one that would have matched perfectly but sold it. Argh.

 

[Absolut]

BTW, might be worth trying the Birchwood Casey Blue and Rust Remover, that thing works pretty fast, and it won't touch the phosphate finish. I've used that on a dip (re)blued rifle once just to have it straw blued afterwards, worked super fast. Should remove all the blueing in the inscription as on your rifle. Use a paint brush to apply, let it do its magic (takes less than a minute) and then carefully clean with a bronze/brass brush.

 

[Muncher 1953]

BTW, might be worth trying the Birchwood Casey Blue and Rust Remover, that thing works pretty fast, and it won't touch the phosphate finish. I've used that on a dip (re)blued rifle once just to have it straw blued afterwards, worked super fast. Should remove all the blueing in the inscription as on your rifle. Use a paint brush to apply, let it do its magic (takes less than a minute) and then carefully clean with a bronze/brass brush.

another possible technique would be to dampen patches with vinegar, then using a toothbrush on top of said patch, use small circular motions to scrub the cold blue from stamp & machine marks. the patches will draw the cold blue up into themselves & off the surface. use a new toothbrush, one that has never seen toothpaste.

 

[Mike2994]

A big thanks goes out to Mike! He was able to find a correct no e/H, e/623 stock/endcap that I needed for this. I will need to still repair the UHG retainer & fill the hole someone cut for a bandspring but it is just about complete. I think I am done stripping the blue, there is some still left on the barrel but I can live with it for now. I may go back to it in the future.

 

[Absolut]

Super cool how it turned out! Also you'll need a front sight cover. I'll check if I have a Steyr one somewhere around when I get to it, could very well be. Did you try that Birchwood Casey stuff?

 

[Fal Grunt]

I love that bolt shroud and the cocking piece. Gnarly.

Personally I would leave the rifle as is. I would not refinish it. I might be tempted to put a replacement rear sight base in instead of welding/refinishing.

I probably have a scrap of laminate stock you could use to fill the spring slot, but I am not sure how you would match the stock. I might be able to cut you a piece that has enough exterior that you could shape it.... I'll have to think on the best way to do that.

 

[mrfarb]

That stock really enhanced the look of the metal, it has a good look. Thank @flynaked, I got it from him and have been saving it for a worthy donor. And I agree, don’t refinish anything.

 

[Mike2994]

Super cool how it turned out! Also you'll need a front sight cover. I'll check if I have a Steyr one somewhere around when I get to it, could very well be. Did you try that Birchwood Casey stuff?

I'm glad you like it! I may not put a FSH on this one as it may have not had one on it, the FSH channel does have some wear on it but I cannot tell if that was from one or just from Bubba messing around.

I did not try the Birchwood Casey stuff, if I decide to get rid of the rest of the bluing on the barrel that is what I will use as it seems to have been blued a bit more than the receiver/rear sight.

 

[Mike2994]

I love that bolt shroud and the cocking piece. Gnarly.

Personally I would leave the rifle as is. I would not refinish it. I might be tempted to put a replacement rear sight base in instead of welding/refinishing.

I probably have a scrap of laminate stock you could use to fill the spring slot, but I am not sure how you would match the stock. I might be able to cut you a piece that has enough exterior that you could shape it.... I'll have to think on the best way to do that.

I won't be touching the finish on this one, after stripping the bluing I think it retains enough finish to not refinish.

I am still debating the handguard retainer problem, I have a very good microwelder but it may just be easier to replace the base since it isn't numbered.

I appreciate that, the depth of the cut varies so it will be a bit of a project to shape. I may see if a fellow forum member could match the color for me as I am fine with woodwork, but staining/coloring is a whole different skill.

 

[Mike2994]

That stock really enhanced the look of the metal, it has a good look. Thank @flynaked, I got it from him and have been saving it for a worthy donor. And I agree, don’t refinish anything.

Once again Mike I appreciate it! I just ordered your "payment" this morning let me know how you like it!

 

[Aaron]

I have a phosphate rear sightbase with the "Steyr-esque" grind marks but I do not know if its the same maker, and if its finish will match your rifle, but here's pictures to help you decide.