Putting white paint in markings?

[p51]

When did it become a thing for people to put white paint in military small arms markings? You see these on many firearms including Thompsons. 

It seems to be a fad which has long come and gone, but does anyone know the timeframes for this and why it was so popular for such a long time?

[Taliaferro]

It isn’t a fad. This done for display so that the public can see and understand markings etc. It adds a lot of appeal. Do it if you want or not. But it does work. 
 

Tracie

[Sig]

As Tracie pointed out, for display, here is an example Before and After, right from the Brownells.com website for their Laquer sticks.

https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/files-engraving-tools/color-fill-lacquer-stick/

[p51]

I hadn't seen this outside of guns done up like this several years ago or in a museum collection. I'd therefore assumed it was an older "gun collector fad" thing as I haven't seen it on anything done recently, say, within the last 30 years at least...

[Frank I.]

I do it for pictures...

[68coupe]

I recall someone on this board doing something to his Thompson that didn't involve paint, yet it left the markings white. I'll have to research it. I don't remember what he did,  if he was refinishing, or if it altered the original finish, but it looked great. The stampings were clear as a bell and just jumped out at you.

FWIW, Karl, 68coupe

[Mike Hammer]

I like to do this on all my WW2 German guns because those Krauts had all kinds of stamps on their guns that are cool to see and that makes them stand out. 

[Taliaferro]

Look at this display. Zoom in on guns. You can read the markings. Imagine if you were walking by and were able to read them and stay off the table. 
 

Tracie

[Frank I.]

54 minutes ago, 68coupe said:

I recall someone on this board doing something to his Thompson that didn't involve paint, yet it left the markings white. I'll have to research it. I don't remember what he did,  if he was refinishing, or if it altered the original finish, but it looked great. The stampings were clear as a bell and just jumped out at you.

FWIW, Karl, 68coupe

I use soft white "crayons" sold at art supply stores; they won't scratch the finish. Apply to the markings, then wipe off the excess with oil. They are easily removed with Hoppes #9.

 

[Arthur Fliegenheimer]

5 hours ago, p51 said:

I hadn't seen this outside of guns done up like this several years ago or in a museum collection. I'd therefore assumed it was an older "gun collector fad" thing as I haven't seen it on anything done recently, say, within the last 30 years at least...

 

May 10, 1922 publicity photo of John T. Thompson showing off his smg complete with highlighted markings. If it was good enough for the Brigadier...

[Taliaferro]

FYI AOC also whited up the markings on shot mags. 
 

So nothing new. 
 

Tracie

[p51]

Good information. Thanks, all!

[rpbcps]

15 hours ago, Taliaferro said:

Look at this display. Zoom in on guns. You can read the markings. Imagine if you were walking by and were able to read them and stay off the table. 
 

Tracie

Top tip from Tracie,

Just ordered one for my upcoming display later this month in the UK.

thanks??

[StrangeRanger]

Recently bought a gun that the PO had highlighted in red.  A bit more subtle than white but just as visible

[RoscoeTurner]

On 7/10/2025 at 12:36 PM, p51 said:

I hadn't seen this outside of guns done up like this several years ago or in a museum collection. I'd therefore assumed it was an older "gun collector fad" thing as I haven't seen it on anything done recently, say, within the last 30 years at least...

Very common practice among Luger collectors.

[pitfighter]

I used a white wax pencil "china marker" for my cartdidge collection helped me see the letters better.

I have used chalk too - white paint seems a little foolish.

[Doug Quaid]

most guys use a "china pencil"  

also known as a grease pencil.  you can get them in various colors

you rub the engraving, and then remove the excess with a rag that has a little wd40 on it

to get it off, just spray it with WD40 and rub it gently with a soft toothbrush

[TD.]

The white lettering is a photographers dream. It makes the markings, what you are usually trying to show the reader, stand out. Those with my Amateur's Guide book can flip through the pages and see guns with white letters and numbers and guns without. Colt bluing is very dark and difficult to photograph, especially when I first started taking my own pictures. The police department that owns NO 133 would not allow me to add white to the nomenclature. I really worked hard for those pictures. 

[October1971]

I've been using this whiteout method on some of my items for around 40 years.

In addition to the white grease pencil, before using it, I dip the pencil tip in a small metal measuring cup that has a few drops of lighter fluid which helps soften the grease pencil, then I wipe off the excess with a soft flannel cloth.

[rpbcps]

This topic has given me an idea for the upcoming 'Great Britain - The Tommy Gun Story' Display at the Blyth Battery Museum. I have started to use the technique in the 2nd older related topic, started by ppgcowboy 'Highlighting the Letters on the Receiver', using a ‘China’ pencil, a rag and WD40, on some of my 'L' drums and box magazines, with great effect.

My idea is to do the same with the receiver markings on the respective Thompsons in my collection.

This is in prepartion for next weekend, to entertain and gain interest from the younger visitors, I'll can ask them if they can spot the differences between the Thompsons, not only the markings for this one, but also the evolution of the WW2 shortcuts / cost svaings, knurling on selectors/ actuators, battle sights, smooth barrel and finally the M1/A1. Obviously with the 1928's there are the two with the NY address and one with the Bridgeport and then the change in location of the address and patent numbers with the last 1928's / the arrival of the 1928A1's.

My other idea is to ask them to spot the differences in the 'L' Drum markings and how many different manufacturers of the box magazines they can spot.

Hopefully it'll make it a more interactive experience, than a usual museum visit. What can go wrong??

[rpbcps]

First attempts

 

Edited July 14, 2025 by rpbcps
Posted without 2nd photo.....

[LDog2012]

54 minutes ago, rpbcps said:

First attempts

 

Looks good!

 

[rpbcps]

2 hours ago, LDog2012 said:

Looks good!

 

Thanks.

I have a white Lacquer stick arriving tomorrow, so I'll try that on the markings on the receivers. 

[p51]

Man, I have learned so much about the whole white markings deal here. All these years I thought it was a museum thing and/or a fad as I'd not encountered anything marked like that recently out of a museum.

When I was at Aberdeen Proving Ground for my officer branch course (and the year before, as an ROTC cadet) in 1998, I talked with Dr Atwater at the museum about various things and I remember having a discussion about white paint-filled markings on weapons.

I guess that's where my assumption came from that it was either a dated fad and/or a museum thing.

[RoscoeTurner]

I learned how to add the white to the markings in the 80s from collectors who had been coloring in the markings since the 60s, no idea how much further back it goes.