This rifle I believe has character.
Attachment 25171
As a newcomer to this Enfield stuff, I have always liked to see the woodwork cleaned and re-oiled but as I get hold of a few, I'm changing my mind. I do however want to keep them in the best operational condition so how do I retain that old, used, slightly grubby "patina" whilst keeping the rust and woodworm at bay.
I have already made the buttstock on this one a bit shiny with some raw linseed oilicon when removing labels.
Should I leave the remains of the red painted letter(s) on the butt, Should I try and remove and stop the rust under the charger bridge from whence it oozes. Should I apply linseed oilicon to the woodwork or perhaps some sort of antique character retaining furniture polish.
Surely I must at least oil it a bit to stop rust!.
I have a few others that I was going to "clean up" but I'm having second thoughts on those too now. They seem almost to need knocking around a bit more and grubbying up to give them some character.

How do you maintain while retaining character?.
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