Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles White crests, letters & serial nos.on receiver?

Mauser collectors, you'll see some military Mausers with white receiver markings and more without. Were the ones that have white markings painted/marked after mfg. for some reason? Doesn't seem like this would have been done at time of mfg.

It was/is done by guys who want to highlight the markings on their rifles, be it for whatever reason. Done several way- with chalk, whiteout, paint, etc. (Rub it in and wipe the surrounding surfaces.) Acetone is the solvent I've used to remove it.

Posted pics of my custom 1895 Chilean in the Image Gallery back in January that was given this treatment by the previous owner. Pics come right up if 1895 Chilean is entered in the Search engine.

Soapstone (welder's chalk) makes a good temporary highlight for numbers and/or proof marks for photography, and cleans up easily with an old toothbrush.
Jerry

Thanks to all for the info. Great looking rifle Pocono Jack. I've got a 95 I "sporterized" keeping the original stock, etc. Mine's a pretty cool old steel plate shooting rifle but your custom's in a higher league. The previous owner of yours put some bucks into that one.

Sometimes it is plain flour rubbed into the depressions/stampings- to allow higher visablility for photos ( for selling purposes)

i rub a little clp or some other oil, like rem oil, over the letters. followed by what i think is called a china pencil marker. Rubbing in the chalk type marker into the letters. Followed by using a tissue with oil on it to gently clean it up.
I am a mil surp collector and have marked just about everything from handgun to rifle that way.
Lot easies seeing the fine stuff and some of the images they stamped in.