Stock finishing

[Roger Payne]

When restoring a rifle's woodwork I never aim to make it look like new (unless a punter has specifically asked me to), but to try to replicate what Bruce in Oz referred to as the 'hand-grime' look. It's very difficult because it has been achieved by regular use, cleaning & handling over decades & so can't be readily reproduced exactly. However, you can get close by very sparingly rubbing shXXte into the grain towards the end of the linseeding procedure & lot & lots of gentle rubbing with something ever so slightly abrasive. I favour hessian sacking, if you can find some these days. I think this 'well loved but still looking good' sheen looks much better than 'brand new' on a one hundred year old rifle.