Found MUSKET in thrift store.

[gew8805]

Fear not! I have not suggested that DaveN should refinish the metal, just that the wood could be cleaned up with the gel stripper independently recommended by Claven2 and myself (so that's at least 2 out of 1,000,000 who think it's a good idea!).

Oh my. Patrick, I have all of the respect in the world for you and your "take it slow" ideas, the same with Claven. But under no circumstances am I fan of any type of stripping of the finish. I guess that puts me in a one in 1,000,000 situation. I have seen too many antique guns and pieces of furniture as well ruined by the use of strippers - and have even done it myself so my statements are based on experience. Dave, it is yours so it is up to you.

DaveN, I had not recommended that you dismantle the rifle just yet, because of the fear of ruining screws and pins. I have had seen steel pins in wood that were rusted right through on rifles a century younger than your Jaeger. But you got the pins out in one piece. You were lucky. This suggests to me (just a guessing game, you will soon be able to tell me the truth) that whatever the wood is, it is not oak. Oak contains tannin. Tannin is acidic, and if that shaft was oak those pins would have rusted to crumbs by now. I still guess beech, from the lighter swirls that show through the gunge.

I understand jmoore's concern, just stick to the wood for now, please!!

Patrick

We agree on the wood, it is beechwood, a common gunstock wood in Northern Europe (Prussia through Scandanavia) and also heavily used in England and other parts of Europe when the need was great and standard woods (usually walnut) were not available. Oak, while used from time to time is a very poor choice for gunstocks.

---------- Post added at 07:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

Agreed - before using gel stripper, get some methyl hydrate (methylated spirits, rubbing alcohol, etc. - all the same thing) and a piece of clean cotton t-shirt rag and give the stock a good scrubbing with that first. It might clean up - who knows. This is the least intrusive thing to try first.

Good suggestion Claven. Hopefully the use of strippers can be avoided.