Gew 98 input please.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Looks much better.

I read a couple of opinions elswere recomending against cleaning indicating it would negitively affect value ,but I think I will enjoy it more in cleaned yet unrestored condition. If I had not cleaned the wood I would not even know the stock number matched. It still has a trench time look it just does not look like it was dug up from a trench.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I read a couple of opinions elswere recomending against cleaning indicating it would negitively affect value ...

It all depends on what you mean by cleaning. Removing an original finish is generally a mistake. Removing dirt (or, in this case, Bubba goo) is simply removing something that did not belong there in the first place. Think it through in reverse: would putting the shellac back increase the value?
Surely not.
Q.E.D.

...If I had not cleaned the wood I would not even know the stock number matched...

So by revealing the number you have a) confirmed that the shellac was not original and b) increased its value by revealing the match.

..It still has a trench time look it just does not look like it was dug up from a trench...

In other words, it now looks like an honest old banger.

...I think I will enjoy it more in cleaned yet unrestored condition...

Which confirms all the above - You did the right thing.

[TerryS]

Getting to this thread late. Contact me, I have a swivel. And even rarer, the "shortner"

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

A little late
Getting to this thread late. Contact me, I have a swivel. And even rarer, the "shortner"

Thanks I have scored both already.

---------- Post added at 09:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:25 PM ----------

Enjoy your rifle, enjoy shooting it (you'll find it extremely accurate, with a nice sight picture), and who gives a damn what anyone else says!

Cheers

Ed

Nice post and I agree. This piece is in the top two in my small collection in terms of historical significance and correctness.

[burb1989]

Glad to see someone else has some WW1 rifles in Mississippi. I haven't seen any post Civil War to pre-WW2 age bolt action rifles for a long time in the state but I have walked away with three decent rifles that are pre-WW1 that could've been in the Great War. I have an 1894 Steyr Gew 88 that I know came from South America, an Italian Vetterli Vitali that my great grandfather sent home from WW1, and my newest acquisition a French Fusil Gras from 1875 to go with the bayonet my great grandfather also brought home from WW1. So far anything pre-WW2 here is very tough to find at the little gun shows in state. Though I have heard rumors that better stuff can be found in the neighboring states......