German 74 mags

kanscheapskate · 07-31-2011, 11:27 PM

Were all those mags the orange color when new? Has anyone figured out a way to strip the painted black ones and make them look orange again or would I be better off to buy an orange one? Just who has them these days anyway? Thanks

Disburse-Now · 08-01-2011, 05:28 AM

If yoy are referring to the Bakelite mags, then they were or are a rather orange to brownish orange color. Probably easier on yourself to try and find some new ones if that is what you want. The Russians, from what I understand, moved away from Bakellite mags because of the shine given off by the mags either in sun-light or moon-light. Thery do have an authentic and attractive look and coloring to them however, in my opinion.

Brandywine · 08-01-2011, 06:44 AM

There were some East German mags imported a few months back that were painted black, and yes, the paint this easy to remove. If you can get them for under $15, go for it, but for more than that you mind as well get an unpainted one ($25-$35).

kanscheapskate · 08-01-2011, 12:42 PM

Yea, I think I got one of them painted black ones, I just want one display one that looks nice. Of course I am part colorblind so what I think it looks like and you do might not be the same-LOL

BigG-n-Tn · 08-01-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanscheapskate

Yea, I think I got one of them painted black ones, I just want one display one that looks nice. Of course I am part colorblind so what I think it looks like and you do might not be the same-LOL

I have some like that. The paint scratches off pretty easy. I'd like to know the best way to strip it too without damaging the bakelite. Finger nail polish remover, alcohol? Curious myself.

maxhush · 08-01-2011, 01:24 PM

I believe soaking the body in Citristrip was mentioned a while back in threads discussing the best way to restore them and get the paint off. I have not done this myself, so I can't say whether it works or not, you will probably want to find the earlier threads and read up on it before trying it.

Jpanzer · 08-04-2011, 07:51 PM

Got several of those that I stripped myself. Found some non toxic stripper at Wal mart, and then applied per the instructions. That black paint is pretty thin and just peels right off. The bakelight underneath was not damaged in the least and the mags look as good as new...

Kaninchen · 08-05-2011, 06:20 PM

FYI thought I might just correct this longstanding and continuous error that the orange 74 magazine are bakelite, which they are actually not. They are made of glass reinforced polyethylene. They only resemble the color and texture, I suppose that's why it is called as such. Much less brittle than bakelite if you've actually handled the stuff.

BTW where can one buy these black painted EG mags, anybody know?

07-31-2011, 11:27 PM	#1
kanscheapskate Senior Member AKaholic #: 31918 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 661	German 74 mags Were all those mags the orange color when new? Has anyone figured out a way to strip the painted black ones and make them look orange again or would I be better off to buy an orange one? Just who has them these days anyway? Thanks

08-01-2011, 05:28 AM	#2
Disburse-Now Veteran Member AKaholic #: 79142 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA, Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,554	If yoy are referring to the Bakelite mags, then they were or are a rather orange to brownish orange color. Probably easier on yourself to try and find some new ones if that is what you want. The Russians, from what I understand, moved away from Bakellite mags because of the shine given off by the mags either in sun-light or moon-light. Thery do have an authentic and attractive look and coloring to them however, in my opinion.

08-01-2011, 06:44 AM	#3
Brandywine Banned AKaholic #: 91314 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 1,063	There were some East German mags imported a few months back that were painted black, and yes, the paint this easy to remove. If you can get them for under $15, go for it, but for more than that you mind as well get an unpainted one ($25-$35).

08-01-2011, 12:42 PM	#4
kanscheapskate Senior Member AKaholic #: 31918 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 661	Yea, I think I got one of them painted black ones, I just want one display one that looks nice. Of course I am part colorblind so what I think it looks like and you do might not be the same-LOL

08-01-2011, 01:24 PM	#6
maxhush Veteran Member AKaholic #: 39250 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NW MS Posts: 1,433	I believe soaking the body in Citristrip was mentioned a while back in threads discussing the best way to restore them and get the paint off. I have not done this myself, so I can't say whether it works or not, you will probably want to find the earlier threads and read up on it before trying it.

08-04-2011, 07:51 PM	#7
Jpanzer Member AKaholic #: 44460 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Georgia, C.S.A. Posts: 254	Got several of those that I stripped myself. Found some non toxic stripper at Wal mart, and then applied per the instructions. That black paint is pretty thin and just peels right off. The bakelight underneath was not damaged in the least and the mags look as good as new...

08-05-2011, 06:20 PM	#8
Kaninchen Member AKaholic #: 157993 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 315	FYI thought I might just correct this longstanding and continuous error that the orange 74 magazine are bakelite, which they are actually not. They are made of glass reinforced polyethylene. They only resemble the color and texture, I suppose that's why it is called as such. Much less brittle than bakelite if you've actually handled the stuff. BTW where can one buy these black painted EG mags, anybody know?

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