reproduction folding stock/oiler question.

[82Trooper]

Hello:
I am considering purchasing a reproduction folding/paratrooper stock for my carbine. Being a former paratrooper, I am having a hard time resisting this...for display purposes only.
My question is this....it appear that there is a loop on the frame (on the backside of the leather pad) where the oiler was stored. Is this a regular oiler? Anything else used to hold it in place?
What else do I need to know to make this appear "proper"?

Thanks in advance.
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[us019255]

Yes regular oiler. The major problem with the one I bought was that the cheek pad was not leather. Replaced with leather one. Did not go to the trouble to get authentic rivets, just used common copper ones.

[USGI]

I've got one of the repros from Italy, and had to bend the loop a bit to make the oiler stay in place. Right now, Sarco has "paratrooper" stocks on sale for $125, but make sure you read the reviews before considering one. Here's a picture of mine. - Bob

[GotSnlB28]

Here's mine. I just finished replacing the rivets with more authentic 7/4 ones and refinishing the leather.

[painter777]

Here's mine

Looks nice with the darker stock color.

82Trooper,
Thank You for your service.....

Charlie-Painter777

[82Trooper]

Thanks for the feedback.
Also, what did you use to darken the leather?
How did you darken the wood?
In general, do folks with the repro stocks "age them" to give a more realistic patina? If so, how?

[AFJon]

Raw linseed oil will darken and redden the stock. Otherwise you could stain it.

[WarPig1976]

Be careful with the stock without the action in place. Those repos's are made from inferior wood which is dry as a popcorn fart and will crack very easily. The sides are very thin, Oil it......

[GotSnlB28]

For the leather I stripped it using denatured alcohol and then used a combination of Fiebings dark brown leather dye and another dark alcohol based stain I had on hand. Buffed it quite a bit to give it an aged look. Alcohol based stains work great on the wood.

[browningautorifle]

Mine was a newer Italian copy from what I was told...and looked marvellous. Looked like a brand new copy.