The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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How can I preserve a "raw steel" look on my rifle?

Hi, my name is Aaron and I have what may be a seriously perplexing question. I recently came into possession of a WWII Soviet issue sniper rifle. Before anyone yells at me for destroying a beautiful piece, none of the armory numbers match (there are six different serial numbers on this piece). My goal is to turn this piece into my "BABY" for all of my big game needs. The problem is that I want to get rid of the original military finish on the steel and do something different. On a side note, I am a master wood worker so the stock is already custom fit to me and my shooting style, and hand carved from black walnut, but my knowledge is lacking on the metal end of things. I would like to have a "raw" look to the metal, not chromed or blued, but more like a dull rust free steel. The problem is, I do not know how to accomplish this. If anyone has any ideas, I am all ears.

Aaron Marlow
hobbyist/woodworker - Syracuse, New York, USA
2007

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It will be very difficult to keep bare steel from rusting. Take a look at some of the aerosol spray-on dry film lubricants which incorporate molybdenum sulfide. They are various shades of dull gray, and look very much like the "Parkerizing" which was often used on military rifles of that vintage. They're durable and will prevent rust.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2007