MG42/M53 Blueing?

[csbuceo]

I have noticed different colors/shades on variet of parts. Barrels, shrouds, flash, buffers and charging handles are a blue/black. but other parts like the top cover are flat blue/gray. Is this common since the kits can mixed parts and manufactures?

[Bullwinkle]

Yes, very common. During demill, most kits are totally stripped down to a bare receiver and the parts all tossed in large bins with parts from other guns...once cut, the receiver sections are wired together and someone "bags" parts from all the various parts bins...so your Totally matching 1942 Steyr gun with matching barrels and parts is now a mix master from various guns , some post war, some MG1, MG2, and MG3 parts mixed all together. Post war guns were parkerized, NOT blued like WWII issue MG42 so the possible combinations of finishes is unlimted. To compound the issue Some less than honest importers (No names here because the folks that have YET to be screwed by these guys always get in a tissy when you call them out..) Substitute Yugo parts for the German parts in their kits and then sell the German individual parts for a premium on their website. That's why you have mix master kits with German AND YUGO parts...THOSE KITS did not get imported that way as import rules are specific about country of origin. I have bought WWII "MG42" German 8mm kits with MG3 top covers and Yugo barrels...so in short...yes, it's normal for the parts to be all mixed up, even worse than they would have come (in original condition) from the arsenals in Europe.

Hope that Helps...

[csbuceo]

So what was the original bluing like dull flat blue or a black blue with a very low sheen? I am assuming that black blue is Yugo.

[boss429]

My M53 was solid black. The only shiney parts were the top cover/feed tray and the machined parts all the receiver was matt or dull finish.
When I got mine welded together I got some of the black oxide solution as sold at Enco and MSC and rinsed it with hot water/degreased and put the black oxide in a spray bottle and soaked it down evenly rinsed/oiled it looks like new, even covered the welds nicely.
I didn't remove the old finish or blast it or do anything to prep it.

[csbuceo]

Here is my current color mixture with KG gunkote....