To restore Stock or leave alone?

[Charlie59]

There are good reasons to do that:

Wanting to shoot it and not risk the old wood, i.e. there could be splits that could be exacerbated by shooting, etc.
The dings and nicks could be bad enough that it is right on the edge of acceptable or comfortable to the owner.
Wanting to repair the old wood and have plenty of time to consider the best route.
Wanting to experience something of what a new recruit in '44 felt when he drew a shiny new weapon.

I've done that very thing with mine while I consider what to do with a badly split fore-end.





Bob

I hadn't considered a couple points you highlighted. Thanks!

[Bob Womack]

I hadn't considered a couple points you highlighted. Thanks!

My pleasure!

[dastier]

How about replacing the wood with new stuff and keeping the old around unmolested for collector value?

Bob

I agree with Bob, I have a Danish Garand that I'm restoring which is mostly a 1943 Springfield Garand including the stock (correct catouches, etc). The stock is pretty dinged up and the cartouches are faint so I don't want to shoot this rifle and risk further damage to the stock.

I'm planning on replacing the original stock and preserving it. So I can shoot my Garand, I will obtain a replacement stock (Boyds etc).

IMHO Milsurps cannot be fully enjoyed unless you shoot them but I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. Just my $0.02

[rondog]

I'd say it depends on the rifle and condition. I have a '43 SA, and the stock was previously worked over so much I can't even determine what make it is, although I "think" it's the original SA wood. There's not a single stamp or cartouche of any kind, anywhere on it. So, I'm going to refinish it!

I have two Mosin Nagants, and they're gonna get it too.

Have a '43 IBM carbine that I'm refinishing right now. It has a Q-RMC stock, but it's also been sanded and refinished previously, so I'm refinishing it right now. Not going to touch the remaining markings, but they're barely visible anyway, so somebody's already ruined it.

My '47 Enfield carbine is very correct and in good shape, with no evidence of sanding or molesting, but it looks like it's been re-varnished and is filthy to boot. Might try to just clean that one up without making any changes, or I might try to get the varnish off and get some Fairtrimmers on it.

A correct Winchester with correct WRA stock? No way I'd refinish that one.

[AlReiter]

For all of mine I have cleaned and oiled them, but have left the dings and gouges. I like the character it gives them and often wonder what they went through to get them!!

[Mike D]

Me too, Al. I'd fix a crack or something to try to keep condition from worsening, but I wouldn't try to make it something its not. Like the scars on my own body, they remind me of who I am and what I've been through to get them, good and bad. I can't steam those out.