Bavarian carbine w/ silver solder on receiver

[JimR]

Was at the North Store early this month and picked up an IBM service grade Bavarian carbine.

Best I can tell is that the majority of parts, including the stock, barrel, early flat top bolt, type two USGI walnut high cut stock and type 1 barrel band are original to the gun.

Apparently the flip sight was removed and replaced by a V rear sight on the front of the receiver. They used silver solder to attach it. Later, it was removed and replaced with a type 2 milled adjustable sight.

Was wondering if there is anyway to remove the remains of the silver solder?

Please note, I am not going to remove the solder, as it is part of the carbines history. Am only wondering if it is possible.

Thanks,

JimR

[M1Ute]

My Bavarian has some silver solder painted over the left half of the US Carbine 30 Cal. I do want to remove it... it is ugly as hell.

-T

[mrerick]

The only way I can think of to remove solder is to melt it and wipe it off using a porous cloth like linen or coarse cotton. A propane gas torch could do the job, but I don't have a clue if it would be recommended.

You might risk affecting the metal structure (lead annealing was used on early Garands) but the metal had to have been heated just as much when the sights were applied.

This would still probably leave a thin coating of solder on the surface and in the letter's grooves. Some of the Carbines I saw last week at the North Store had really thick coatings of solder...

There looks like a good article on solder, including silver solder for brazing, at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solder

[M1Ute]

I asked Mr. Shuff what he could do about it.

"It can be media blasted off if it's not terribly thick. It would have to be parked when the solder was removed. As far as price, I'd charge park cost per normal plus $60 an hour to remove the solder."

It costs $60 to repark a receiver by itself.

[M1Ute]

Should have spent the extra money for a flip sight.

[FTD1167]

The gun should be blued, not parked, correct?
Many Bavarians had all markings removed from Receiver Ring, blued and buffed to a gloss. Go to the Bavarian web page for example. Should not be hard to do.
Look at this one
http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/carbineGBB_lus.html

[M1Ute]

I like that idea FTD

I like the Carbine itself, but I think grinding off the silver and just leaving the smooth markings at the receiver end. I know people have strong opinions about the "history of the rifle" ... but ugly is ugly.

Even if I grind off the M1 carbine 30 cal,
I will leave the "Rural police stamp" all of the matching serial numbers that have been stamped into the parts of the rifle, the type one band, and the german replacement barrel... and the Quality Hardware Serial Number.

[FTD1167]

This is what yours looked like before someone changed history.
http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/carbineGBX_Mock7.html
You might ask the CMP if they have any of those sights around.

[M1Ute]

I have an etching tool, I could scratch in Century Arms of St Albans, VT into mine... make it "correct" LOL

[JimR]

Thanks for all the responses. The silver solder on mine is not very thick and the US Carbine/Cal 30 is visible. Am going to live with it. JimR