Reworking M1 Garand Stock

[browningautorifle]

Like Harlan say's stripping won't harm the DAS mark unless you sand the pi** out of it. It will remove all traces of filth and enhance it...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Go ahead, Dave - As Jim said, It won't hurt your markings unless you use something really abrasive.

This isn't 'Earth shattering' but my Winchester M1 didn't show anything at all until after I stripped the old black finish off the stock. (It actually shows up better in room light than this photo and I was very happy)



It was fugly and almost black when I got it - this is after stripping it with Formsby's Antique Wood Refinisher.
Minwax makes the same stuff for antique wood.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Dave - Here's another example of using Formsby's (Or Minwax) - It's not super strong like some others and you have to wipe and use a lot of rags, but it takes off the old varnish and crud and doesn't completely 'strip' the wood and color beneath. If you're worried about stripping too much this might be your ticket. Everyone has their favorite method, but this stuff works for me. I can't remember which carries what, but Home Depot carries one brand and Lowes carries the other. They both work the same for me.


This is an old 'smoking stand' as it came from an antique store.




This was after cleaning it off with the restorer. Nothing else done to it.