Stock Question

Yesterday I purchased this 1903. It's an RIA SN# 287625. Although I've owned a number of guns in my life, very few of them were old when I purchased them (although some would be considered old now :) ). When I disassembled it for 'inspection' I found that the interior of the stock, in the receiver area, had been coated with a black wax-like substance. Any thoughts on what this might be, why it was done and whether it is/was a common practice?

Also, directions to information that identifies the various marks found on a piece like this would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum, that LOOKS from here like cosmoline. Smell? Feel? If it's wax, it could be for a waterproofing to keep things from moving...but I think it's protective grease...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Welcome to the forum, that LOOKS from here like cosmoline. Smell? Feel? If it's wax, it could be for a waterproofing to keep things from moving...but I think it's protective grease...

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Jim, You may be right. I don't think its cosmoline - I've never seen any that is black like this material. It is tacky to the touch. It has a faint odor of grease, however, it is not slippery like grease.

I think Jim hit the nail on the head, cosmoline sets becomes hard over time.

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Originally Posted by boomer656

I've never seen any that is black like this material.

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Nearly 100 years old or even 70...turns and changes...

Is the shape of the trigger guard different on RIA's? I like it, maybe it just the angle the picture was taken from.

Cosmoline is just a brand name for petroleum jelly. Same things as Vaseline only a bit thicker. That might be Cosmoline, but I'd expect it to be all over where the steel was as well.
A drop of mineral spirits will clean it off the wood without any damage.

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Originally Posted by Sunray

Cosmoline is just a brand name for petroleum jelly. Same things as Vaseline only a bit thicker.

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I don't think so. I've had the pleasure of working with tons of coz and definitely not Vaseline. IMHO

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Originally Posted by Sunray

A drop of mineral spirits will clean it off the wood without any damage.

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That's the bottom line...for me...

Any addition information such as barrel markings, photo of the rear sight, any stock markings ?