1903 WW1 parkerizing

[mitchell6776]

About what serial number range/and or month did SA adopt parkerizing in WW1?
Were they still bluing the small parts, such as the rear stock band, trigger, screws, etc ?
when did asphaltum start being used?

Thanks

[Johnny P]

Parkerizing began in fiscal year 1919, which ran from July 1918 to July 1919, so probably none of the 1903 rifles with the new finish reached France. Some small parts continued to be blued.

Not familiar with asphaltum being used on the 1903 rifle. To the best of my knowledge raw linseed oil was used as the stock finish through production.

[John Beard]

Parkerizing commenced with production of the Mark I rifles at S/N 1034503. The receivers were not parkerized. Based on observation, use of asphaltum also commenced at that time. The lower band, all screws, trigger and sear, swivels, windage screw, and some rear sight parts all remained blued.

J.B.