Message-ID: 
Newsgroups: AIRGUN.LIST
>I am wondering if all the older Crosman 111, 112, 115, 116  and even the 150
>pistols had the
>white recessed lettering, or if some from the factory, were painted over
>leaving the letters and
>numbers the same color as the rest of the barrel. I am not sure that seeing
>the indented areas
>painted over is a clear indication of a refinish. How do you tell if there 
s
>original paint on one of
>these guns?  Anybody have any input on this?
>
>Matt Nickels
>
>
In addition to what Dean F. said previously I've discovered a few things
about the bulk-fill pistols.
It appears that these pistols were painted *after* assembly (except for the
one-piece, plastic grip, which was added later.)  This accounts for - paint
on the steel bolt, bolt handle, power adjustment knob, and rear site.
There should be some of this paint on the steel parts, if the gun is in
good shape.  Also, I've never seen a refinish job where the person painted
over the steel.
Many of these pistols have a "blacking" applied to the bare metal under the
paint.  I don't know what this coating is, but it can be seen when the
paint chips off.
A pistol with original paint will have a small unpainted area under the
mount area of the rear sight.  Also where the body tube meets the grip
frame.  This may still appear to be "painted" if the gun has the back
underfinish beneath the paint.
You can also see black laquer overspray on the wrinkle-painted grip frame
on some guns.
On later pistols with the "Crosman Arms Co., Inc. Rochester, N.Y., U.S.A."
on the right side of the breech you will never see this filled with white
from the factory.
Hope that helps a bit.
Jon
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