My new Lithgow, New Zealand contract L1A1

[tankhunter]

Yep, you sure do Mike, they restored very nicely indeed, that horrible varnish finish was removed from all the woodwork and it it was returned to its correct oil finish, it looks so much better now, I hate varnish on a military rifle!

Varnish should NEVER be used on Firearm Furniture in any case! Wood is a living medium, & if You varnish it. It cannot 'Breath'. It needs to be supple to absorb minor knocks & reform to it's normal surface shape.
After rubbing down & striking off. BOILED (NOT 'Normal') linseed oil should be liberally worked into the wood surface. I used to let butt stocks stand upright in a bowl of the stuff. To allow the wood grain to absorb it by 'sucking' it up!

If the wood on a butt for example. Is allowed to dry out. It becomes very brittle. & it only takes an accidental drop of the rifle on it's butt. To split it up a fair way, or break a chunk out!

You cannot equal the lovely feel when handling. Or indeed the Asthetic appeal of wooden furniture on a weapon!