White Stuff

[M Wipf]

People like to put some sort of white substance in the stamped markings of various firearms to accent the marking. Looks terrible! How do you get this white substance out?

Mike W.

[ww2gunguy]

solvent and a tooth brush or acetone (Finger Nail Polish Remover) and qtips...I agree it looks like crap on a gun!

[Johnny Peppers]

Don't take the white stuff out of the safety marking on a P.08.

[Ronnie Fry]

Or a P 38 !!

[scotty1418]

I had the impression that it was originally used for 'antique' guns where the markings were very faint, but I think it's extremely overused.

I really dont see much use for it with a normal military surplus firearm.

[Alan Smith]

Ever see them put it on leather or wood? This really causes permanent damage. Just look at Bender's book on Luger holsters: a bunch of the holsters were ruined when he put that white crap into the markings on the holsters.

Yes, like the others mentioned, some paint (white and red) is original to the guns, such as the safety markings on P.08, P.38, MG-34. Also, I've seen early Zero Series P-38's that had factory original white paint on the rear sight and red paint on the front sight.

Thus, just make 100% darn sure you know what you are messing with when you start to strip paint out of markings on vintage firearms.

Alan

[M Wipf]

Thank you all for your help!

The pistol I was working on is a beautiful all matching 1940 Mauser Luger.

I used Crown low odor mineral spirits and a soft bristle toothbrush. It worked perfectly!

I finished with a light rub down of Rem Oil and a soft cotton cloth. I don't leave oil on my guns.

And the "GESICHERT" is pristine and untouched ..

I think this Luger just gained $500 in value ..

Looks like it anyway ..

Again, I appreciate all the assistance ..

All the best ..

Mike W.

[Johnny Peppers]

If you look at any of Jan Still's books you will see that he used it to show the pistol's markings without having to use extreme close-ups. Normally it comes right off with gun oil and a tooth brush, so doesn't really affect the gun's value. Don't pass up a good pistol because it has the markings whited in.

[Heinz Steinkopf]

I would like to add acouple of word concerning these white markings. When you need to take pictures of the markings and you do not have enough experience or time to work with the light, you can whiten them with white chalk. Preferably using your own finger to avoid scratching the surface. To remove it you can use any type of brush - either wetted with water or dry.

[JoeW]

Jeez, you'd think the world's coming to an end. China marker has been used for 40+ years and comes out with bore cleaner. To each his own. White chalk is great, but don't sneeze.

Problem is, a lot of the white material has been used to cover new numbers or engraving done to boost values. Like on the bogus PL PPK shooting prize that was at the SOS last month.

[Johnny Peppers]

I don't know if they still sell it or not, but Brownells sold lacquer sticks for years to white in the markings. The lacquer sticks went on easy, and came back off easy. The chalk is slightly abrasive, so best not to rub over the markings with it.
It is not unusual to receive M1 Rifles from the CMP with the serial number whited in. It was done in some arms rooms to make the serial numbers easier to read.