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Military Stock refinishing?

Mooseyard
As some of you know I bought a Remington 513T US Property rifle at the last gun show. Someone has put a Glossy finish on the stock. I'm planning on stripping that finish off, and returning it to original finish. I don't know what the original finish was though. Someone told me to use a Matte tung oil, but I always thought military rifles were finished in linseed oil. Can anyone tell me how I should finish this stock? A picture is below.
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Thanks

"My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • drsck
    You're right in that the stock would not have been glossy. When I was very small, my neighbor's grandfather (WWI vet) and my father (WWII) vet always said that the only thing the army gave you to use on your stock was linseed oil. They each had some military surplus cans of linseed oil. When I asked about some of the darker stocks I'd seen at gun shows, they both said that some guys mixed in either gi bore cleaner or dirty motor oil to give light colored birch stocks the look of walnut. However, several years later, I found some military surplus linseed oil myslef, but it was labled as both linseed oil and tung oil. Since then, I've used both. My experience is that the tung oil gives a harder finish with more shine, and the linseed oil gives it a dull look like I remember the military rifles from my younger days. If you put on several coats of the linseed oil, however, it too will shine almost as bright as the tung oil. Best of luck. Let us see the finished version. Steve
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  • nmyers
    Well, actually, the original finish was "unfinished" on most USGI target .22 rifles as received. But, you are correct, the finish applied by the military wouldn't have been glossy.

    Before you strip your old finish, try using 0000 steel wool to cut the gloss; that may be all you need to do.

    I've used both linseed & tung oil, & found only small differences. With both oils, it's important to thin with mineral spirits or they will dry "tacky". After stripping the old finish, I rub with 00 steel wool. I then apply 3-4 coats of thinned tung oil, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. I rub with 0000 steel wool between coats to remove surface imperfections, & after the final coat to cut the gloss.

    Neal

    M1carb225333g.jpg
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  • badlandsbutch
    Might consider just replacing the stock. There are still unissued GI stocks available. I picked up mine at a local surplus store for $15.00 recently.
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  • Mooseyard
    Where did you find a surplus stock for this rifle? I think I want to keep the orginal because it has all of the cartouches. I will try the tung oil.

    "My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks
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  • gotstolefrom
    I might try 000 wool buff to get rid of the gloss but hold it sealed, but I can also appreciate the original style finish.

    For removing the finish that is on there you could:
    1 sand and wool it off,

    2 paint a 'stripper' compound on it and scrape/scrub it off a couple of times, or,

    3 send it to a local commercial stripper, usually dealing in antique furniture. He may be willing to toss it in the vat with some other stuff. When you get it back, it should be raw wood and dry as a bone, nothing in the nooks and crannies, and be out only a modest fee.

    One of the last two would be my advice, although I have used all three. The commercial route is surely the best if you have other things that require YOUR time.

    If we do not hang together,
    We will most certainly hang separately.
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