New M1 Stock

[mikld]

I just got my new to me M1 Garand Special Grade (new stock and barrel) and the stock is unfinished. I know it won't last that way for very long, getting dirty from handling. Does anyone finish their M1 stock? Oil, varnish, poly? How did the original stocks come from the factory? Just excited and don't want to mess up my new M1 stock...

Information

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[Bob Seijas]

SA National Match used tung oil, SA Conservator says wax it. I use pure tung.

[mikld]

I was considering an oil finish, (I was owned by a sailboat for a while) but wanted to know what was "original". Tung oil it is then...

Thanks

[WarPig1976]

Tung oil or linseed oil and To a lesser extent boiled linseed oil are all appropriate. If you are going to use Tung oil DO NOT use the stuff at home owner Harry's !! Use pure tung oil it can be bought on the net. My 2c's

[mikld]

Well fellers, after closer examination (I was pretty excited last night when I opened the case, and boy is my face red. I've been a machinist/mechanic all my life and know little about wood finishing), there seems to be an oil finish on the stock. It's pretty light so I'll just do a couple more linseed oil coats. My apologies for a total rookie mistake...

Thanks for the info., it's all going into my "M1 Garand" file.

[WarPig1976]

No sweat,, better to ask then smear some sort of Bubba Goo all over the place.!!

[emmagee1917]

Might take more than a couple. I use 90 % raw linseed oil / 10% minerial spirits on a Dupage finished stock I bought mid-aug. Thin coat was dry to touch 24hrs later. Waited another 24 and applied second coat. Kept soaking up coats , but taking longer to dry . When it got to a three to four day drying time , I went to once a week just to make sure it was dry in between . Should be done in a few more weeks . Looks great .
Chris

[WarPig1976]

That's why I use BLO, I have the patience of a kid in the candy store.

[Neal Myers]

Easy there! Military contractors dipped the wood once, then allowed it to dry. Yes, you can make it beautiful, you can even make it look like a brand new Browning; but, it will not look like USGI, which is really what you want.

If it's hard to tell that there is anything on the wood, that's good.

Neal