It's been sanded!!!!

[dcbrown]

That dreaded phrase. But, all stocks were sanded at the manufacturer so my question is, "how to tell factory from kitchen table sanding?" What grit and technique should we use now to help a ruined or reproduction stock look "proper" ?
I've done a few sporter stocks and learned to always use a backing pad to keep flats "flat" and preserve sharp edges and corners. I'm asking because I have two reproduction C stocks, I know I'll never fool anyone but would like to make them look authentic.

Information

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[CINDERS]

Here is a pic of my 1944 BSA T apparently displaying the war time sanded finish that was pretty much how they came from BSA.

[dcbrown]

Interesting, thanks.

[dcbrown]

Well, I found an answer to my question elsewhere.

[rcathey]

Well, I found an answer to my question elsewhere.

Care to share with the classs?

[dcbrown]

I used google, and the answer is " that knowledge is lost to the ages". Many experts can tell if a stock has been sanded but don't know why they know it was sanded . New stocks, replacement stocks, and repaired stocks have all been sanded. Just don't sand over cartouches or original markings and use a block or backing pad. Go easy , patina is more valuable than prettiness.

[browningautorifle]

New stocks, replacement stocks, and repaired stocks have all been sanded.

Many cases is because replacement stocks may be bigger to begin with. I had an M1 stock that was huge and I sanded it down to match the contours of a WW2 stock. It was HUGE. After it felt far better and looked better.

[CINDERS]

Replacement Top Fore Woods & Bottom Wood ~ Case in point about un-sanded woods is my 1921 Lithgow which may have seen a FR in 5/44 which is stamped on the butt as there are no other markings to say anything different and is part of my BWAG anyway.
How/why they were replaced & by whom is lost to the fog of time but these replacement woods are "in the white condition" meaning they have been fitted up correctly but for some reason have not been sanded back by the armourer or whom ever did it they are pretty rough with allot of the machining marks left (and will remain so). (Hard to pick but they sit very proud over various fittings on the rifle see close up pic & sharp edged.)

In the case of the 303's I would surmise the stocks came like this roughed out and the armourers basically sanded them back as a partial hand fitment anyway this one will remain as such due to its history attained and a condition of sale I made to my friend whom I purchased it from.Attachment 90357Attachment 90356Attachment 90358