To strip or not!!

[gunsaholic]

Yes, the company who did the conversion cut the stocks just behind the rear barrel band. I don't know the name of the company in Canada that did the conversions.It still has the original sights. I came across an old advertisement that listed the Schmidt Rubin 30-30 conversion for $29.95. Kind of surprising as I believe an Enfield sporter could be had for less.
Anyhow, I removed the varnish or whatever it was. I think it was just applied over the original finish because once I removed it the rifle looked a whole lot better. So much so that I am just going to give it a couple of coats of BLO and leave it at that. I'm not trying to make it look like a new rifle and this way the overall look of the rifle will match.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

After photos perhaps?

[gunsaholic]

Here are a couple of after pics. As mentioned, I didn't want to take it to the point of looking like a new rifle. So I just removed the coat of varnish that had been applied. That's where the majority of scratches/scuffs were. All I did was apply a couple of coats of BLO. I think I achieved the look I set out to do and it looks a whole lot better with not that much work.
But, is there a trick to getting the magazine to insert high enough into the action? The lever has that little clip on it so it barely moves when you flip it up or down. When the mag is inserted, the little nub on the lever mechanism hits the top of that little square on the side that of the mag that has the groove in it that the nub is supposed to fit into. So the mag doesn't lock into place as it can't go up high enough. I removed the clip but it still didn't work. The number on the mag matches the gun.

[Aragorn243]

Open the magazine lever as far as it will go. With one thumb press down hard on the curved metal between the stock and the thumb press pushing it toward the magazine. With the other thumb, push away from the stock on the thumb press. The leaver will open another full position. This will allow you to fully insert the magazine. Then push it closed until it clicks and you can raise and lower the magazine without it falling out.

Looks a lot nicer by the way.

[mmppres]

great looking rifle now may not be high collector in todays market but in 50 years who knows might be a gem,. now show us how she shoots good job enjoy

[gunsaholic]

Thanks. I got the mag working. I just wasn't pushing sideways hard enough on the thumb press. I'll be opening the cabin up in another month or so. Then I'll see how it "performs" as I have a lot of "shooting range" out there.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Much better! Nice work.

[gwpercle]

That's very interesting....converted to 30-30. Nice find.

Try this, get some low-odor mineral spirits and 0000 steel wool and give it a nice scrubbing/washing/cleaning just enough to remove all the grease grime and layers of oil.
You may have to do this twice but go gently. no stripping , no sanding..just clean .

If the color isn't even after it dries for a few days, get some stain and even things out, then a coat or two of tung oil rubbed in for a finish.
I did this to my K-11 and a Enfield stock and brought them back . You clean and refinish without totally stripping the old patina off the original finish.
I stripped ,sanded and refinished a 1903-A3 stock and regret taking the patina of that old war horse off. And leave the dings and dents as best you can...these are character and should be left.
Don't strip.....clean and tung oil ( I like Min-wax Tung oil finish or Behr Tung oil finish )
Gary

[browningautorifle]

Don't strip.....clean and tung oil Gary

I think you're a beat or two behind him on this...read the rest of what he wrote...

I just removed the coat of varnish that had been applied. That's where the majority of scratches/scuffs were. All I did was apply a couple of coats of BLO. I think I achieved the look I set out to do

[Tikbalang]

My own 96/11 rifle had had its stock refinished by the Swiss soldier who carried it. Uncommon, but not unheard of as the rifles were inspected for overall condition annually. The fellow may have been either a master carpenter or cabinet maker as the job was perfect.
The only bits that were considered "hands-off" were the sights. The Finns had the same policy.