Original stock color of early M1s?

[Bruce McAskill]

During WW2 the government never used anything but raw linseed oil. A gloss reflecting stock was not considered to be of much value other then to get someone killed. There was NO Tung oil used on US stocks. One has to consider that the Tung oil was controlled by the Japanese so was a bit hard to import. The US stocks were dipped into a vat of warmed linseed oil. Once soaked enough they were removed, dripped dried and then wiped down and made ready for assembly on a M1 Garand or US 30 carbine. Flat finish so no light was reflected by the stock.