Found MUSKET in thrift store.

[jmoore]

On this super high res "monitor of goodness" (it's not mine) The wood shows very well through the grunge. Gotta be beech! Little "white" highlights all over. Again, I think it's best to try a good cleaning before having a go with the stripper. If it doesn't clean up acceptably, THEN strip it. However, that means the grain will probably be raised, leading to further actions that can degrade the rifle further.

That's it from me on the wood, y'all drive on.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

However, that means the grain will probably be raised, leading to further actions that can degrade the rifle further.

With the gel stripper I use, that is quite simply not true. There is no degradation of any kind.

However, it is wise to be cautious, as we live in different countries, so the gel strippers may have a different composition. All I can say from plentiful experience is that the gel stripper one gets here most definitely does not raise the grain. As far as I can see, it doesn't even penetrate hardwoods to any significant degree. But I never leave it on for more than a few minutes anyway. The action on varnish is so fast that it is almost a brush on/wipe off process. But please note that I do not use anything with water to remove the stuff - that would raise the grain on a freshly stripped surface.

DaveN. As you may well be worried by this exchange of opinions, I suggest you first try out the gel stripper + non-aqueous removal agent on an old piece of painted timber.

Patrick