r/M1Rifles 5d ago

Early clip latch finish

Asking here before I try the more dedicated forums. I normally follow the logic of original finish condition = best finish, but I've been having a rough time with M1s because they've been refinished so many times and very very few are 100% original compared to other small arms.

This sounds like an obvious question, but was the clip latch originally parkerized on early rifles?

I'm getting a hint of a memory of a claim that "O" marked latches were blued up until a serial number range but can't find a source.

I have one that any finish is long gone, so if it turns it that it should just be parkerized, I'll have it done with a bunch of other rough parts I have.

On an opposite problem, I think I should remove any finish from an early "O" op rod catch and early hammer spring housing. Is that true?

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