Just got this today. I will need an extra set of hands to get the barrel band off. Curious to get to see if serial numbers match. Please share your thoughts.
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Just got this today. I will need an extra set of hands to get the barrel band off. Curious to get to see if serial numbers match. Please share your thoughts.
Looks like a good one but something with the stock seems off. It looks like it has old varnish on it that has aged and cracked. I'd wait till the experts chime in.
That was my thought on the stock. Now the question to strip the stock or leave it alone ??
I would use a liquid strip and gently remove the varnish that's masquerading as finish...perhaps even carefully scrape as the old men used to do it. Then a gentle sand and oil.
That kind of varnish shouldn't be too difficult to remove with a little patience but I've been fooled before. May not even need sanding, just oiling when you're done depending on what and how much you use. Only thing I can't recall is if you run any risk of damaging of the glue in the laminate with certain finish removers... someone else will know. Only concern would be metal parts scratching it along with the wood underneath when taking them off as it looks like it's on really thick though it does not appear to have been applied with the metal in so you may be alright.
Yes looks legit & varnished. Might try Citri-strip or denatured alcohol perhaps in an inconspicuous area first . Both very gentle on the underlying wood in my experience.
I did think of that, this one might be a candidate for a careful scrape...Quote:
Originally Posted by cipherk98
The DA worked quite well on a Russian capture. Cannot recall if they are varnished or shellacked.
Surely proceed with caution as that one is far nicer than any RC. I think this may have been a common practice with WWII bring backs as I have see quite a few Arisaka & Mauser rifles given the "treatment".
Attachment 78666Attachment 78667Attachment 78668Attachment 78669Attachment 78670 Forgot to post pictures of cleaned up stock.
Very, very nice now. Hard to believe it's seen as much as it has.
Great looking gun!
Outstanding results. Will you divulge which method you used?
Reminds me of a collector I knew years ago, the first thing he did after acquiring a new piece was to apply a coat of Varathane, ruined the value of a lot of fine collector pieces but they sure did shine. Very nice rifle, looks to be in excellent condition !
That must have been the "in thing" to do back in the day. I cannot recall how many Arisakas & K98s I have seen shellacked half to death.Quote:
Originally Posted by #1oilman
That would give it a deep rich glow...Quote:
Originally Posted by #1oilman
:yikes: That is gorgeous! I see lots of what would have been nice old rifles all plastered up with "spar varnish". Now with the Russian Capture rifles, it's gov't approved! :madsmile:
Looks Great!!
The finish was shellac. The crappy appearance is called orange peeling. Happens mostly when spraying on shellac and your coats are too thick. I learned the hard way from my old man NOT to spray on thick coats of shellac on expensive custom cabinets.
Does anyone know how many coats of Shellac the Soviets used in their post war "Official" refurbishments, please?
From looking at them I'd guess one heavy brushed on coat. What the cut used was? my guess again is heavily thinned.