No. 5 MK1 ROF stock question

[Mike.s]

Going to be picking up the rifle on Friday. Everything appears to be matching on the rifle/bolt, lightening on receiver and barrel, barrel looks good on inside. Only thing is it stock has been refinished in sort of a shiny black. I did some searching and could not find if that was something maybe done in south east asia or india so figured I would take that finish off and bring it back to its original linseed oil finish. The black finish is not in the barrel grove or where the receiver and trigger assembly fit into stock. Also appears that any markings on stock have been sanded off unless they may still be under the black finish.

So before I start the refinish just would like to make sure this is not a original finish that would have been used.
Thought I took a full pic of rifle. will post more after I pick it up.

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[browningautorifle]

Someone painted the stock to hide it's issues. Have fun stripping and oiling now...

[Sunray]

Yep. Far more likely to have been Bubba and a can of paint. Paint comes off without too much fuss. Any wood stripper will do it. No dumping the resulting sludge down any drain though. Toxic.

[Mike.s]

Well picked her up today. Here are a couple more pics with the black stock. Suncorite finish is about 70% on all metal parts everything else looks good. May try to get ahold of Brian at BDL and see if he still does the original suncorite refinish still. Thanks for the replies. Attachment 94865Attachment 94866

[CINDERS]

I would go for a citrus stripper that's bio degradeable it's what I have used in the past. If that does not shift it then you can then try something a bit harsher.

[mrclark303]

As Cinders said, use a Citrus based stripper, might I suggest using it in conjunction with a red 3M scotchbrite (or equivalent), it's a very mild non destructive way of removing the black paint. The citrus stripper and the scotchbrite together, allow you to reach between the wood fibers and fully remove the paint.

Hopefully it's just out of a can and will come off without any issues.

I just noticed you appear to have one of the wartime converted SMLE mags fitted, (with the lower rear rib machined off).

London proof house mark

[mrclark303]

With regards the metalwork, I repainted my rebuilt No4 (after through preparation) with a black primer and some old thinned down single pack BASF Matt black.

Careful prep is the key, with red scotchbrite, de-greaser and 800 grade wet or dry (if needed) in places.

A couple of costs of thin primer and a couple of costs of thinned Matt black

[browningautorifle]

Hopefully it's just out of a can and will come off without any issues.

I bought an M1 rifle at a show once for another guy and it was painted...with a durable marine paint or something special that stripper wouldn't touch. That rifle still bears the signs of the paint...

[nijalninja]

Looks like some kind of "SAS FOREIGN LEGION SPECIAL NIGHT OPS SECRET NAVY SEAL DELUXE" carbine. What a shame. Best of luck fixing it up.

I might seem ignorant or at least simple here for asking this, but could you just very carefully sand it back until the paint comes off, or would this kind of paint seep into the wood thus making sanding a job that would completely destroy the wood and its worth? Not like varnish that just sits on the top of the wood surface?

[browningautorifle]

very carefully sand it

Yes, the paint will go deep enough into the fibers that you'll have to sand it deep. Also even a bit of sandpaper will take the wood down beyond it's lines. Sandpaper should be avoided during refinishing one of these.