Parkerizing is a chemical process using a low strength acid combined with either zinc (usually WWII) or Manganese (Some WWII but mostly post war).  The metal is blasted with aluminum oxide and then submerged in the acid bath at about 180 degrees.  This etches the metal from the acid bath into the work piece.  A good park job is important because it provides a porous surface for the rifle to hold oil and prevent rust.  I parkerize every piece of the rifle except the pins, springs and the stainless (which I paint) because stainless will not take parkerizing.  The rifle is completely torn down during the process including the gas system, trigger system and all other components except the stock ferule (which is staked), and the butt plate.  If you want the ferule or butt plate torn down before parking  then please send them  disassembled.   The appearance will not differ if these parts are torn down or not.   All Garand and Carbine barrels are removed from the receiver for parkerizing.  If rifles are sent with furniture, they are test fired two times for function.  If you would like more test firing, the cost is $1 a round.

Scroll through the album and take a look at some of the work I've done in the past.  Each metal part will take on a slightly different shade due to varying metal hardness piece to piece.