More questions, is this restoration?

[Oatmeal Savage]

More questions, is this restoration or refinishing?

Before


After


After looks nicer, but does the removal of the stock numbers diminish it's historical value? Could you clean the rifle as in "after" photo and repaint the stock number?

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[Stevo]

Tough question. If the rifle ends up with a different finish than it originally had, I'd say it was "refinishing". Kind of like doing a BLO finish on a M91/30, it's just not correct.

If it keeps the original finish, restoration.

Personally, I'd avoid removing any stock markings if at all possible in either scenario.

Whether you want it as a collector or shooter should also influence your decision.

[fordruid]

After looks nicer, but does the removal of the stock numbers diminish it's historical value? Could you clean the rifle as in "after" photo and repaint the stock number?

Yes, removing the numbers diminishes value. Repainting the numbers would be worse....much worse.
Would you want a collectors piece that someone had painted numbers on to make it look original? (other than the original people?)

[tiriaq]

From the photo, that rifle needed a cleaning. What was done wasn't restoration.

[Oatmeal Savage]

How would one go about cleaning the stock to save the original finish but spruce the rifle up?

[Claven2]

That rifleonly needed a stock wash and metal degreasing. I got more than was needed - far more. All original 2A1'sI've seen had painted numbers on the butt. One without them would scream "refinish" to me

[Oatmeal Savage]

Claven2, or anyone for that matter, what would you use to perform a stock wash and metal degreasing on this rifle? Could you wash the wood with hot soapy water and use paint thinner on the metal. The reason I ask is I am expecting a rifle this week which will require a good cleaning.

[Claven2]

It depends very much on the condition of the individual piece. are we talking crud on the metal? Cosmolene? Shellac? Paint?

What's on the wood? Grime and oil? Shellac? Bubba's Tung oil or True-Oil affections?

Your questions has as many answers as a rifle can have finish problems!

[Oatmeal Savage]

I was thinking more of removing the accumulation of oil and dirt from the metal and stock.

[fordruid]

Paint thinner will ruin the shellac or varnish type finishes. Soap and water is best.