Help restoring a few rifles? Mauser 98k and Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk I* and Mosin Nagant

[ct241]

I have a few old milsurps that have been tampered with and I'd like to ask what should be done.

The first is a bzn 41 german k98, the only issue is it's bolt is MM and the sight hood and cleaning rod are missing (ive since replaced them). The stock has also been refinished but not cut. Pictures: Mauser 98k - Imgur Should I even bother restoring the stock? What would the correct finish be for this laminated stock?

The second is a Lee Enfield No. 4 MkI* made by savage in 1942 and marked us property. The stock has been refinished and the bluing is in bad shape. Pictures: Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk I* - Imgur

The Third is a wartime (1938) Izhevesk Mosin Nagant, the typical refurb, what is the correct wartime finish for these rifles.

Any input or discussion is appreciated!

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I suggest:

1)K98k with laminated stock
Either leave it alone, or remove the non-original varnish and oil it. Do not use caustic soda or similar ("oven cleaner").

2) Lee Enfield No4Mk1
Was not "blued". Metal was parkerized and then painted with Suncorite. Search for "Suncorite" in the L-E forum and you will find out all about it!

3) Probably shellacked. If your rifle has very tatty shellac, it may be simplest to just wash it off with alcohol ("denatured spirits" or "methylated spirits) and oil it. If you are very careful, you can polish out scratches in the shellac by using alcohol to soften the affected area and then polishing it dry. Warning: if you have never done shellac polishing before, don't use your rifle to experiment on! Practice on a piece of hardwood first!

[ct241]

Great, thank you!

For the K98 I'm still debating what I should do, would the original finish just be unstained wood with a BLO finish?

For the Lee Enfield I have already started cleaning off the Suncorite as there is light rust underneath some of it, the parkerizing underneath is in rough shape at some points, but most is good. Would the original finish be BLO for this as well? Also I have no idea what type of wood this is, I don't think it's original as most savage rifles had walnut with the serrated hand guards.

The Mosin I have debated re-shellacking it but I've read that the correct pre-refurb finish is just a BLO finish as well, but im not sure of the validity of this.

[Patrick Chadwick]

For the K98 I'm still debating what I should do, would the original finish just be unstained wood with a BLO finish?

The laminated stocks were (I believe) made from layers of beech glued together with a phenol-type resin glue (resorcinol???). The clamping pressure meant that the glue penetrated into the wood layers, and so any attempt to stain the laminate afterwards is going to be highly unsatisfactory, probably merely enhancing the stripes. I have found reference to the stocks being smoothed/sanded and oiled, but no reference to any other finish. This resin also seems to be somewhat reddish, as can frequently be seen in photos of the laminated stocks. The varnish was probably applied by a later owner who wanted to hide the red-stripe look.

---------- Post added at 05:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 PM ----------

The Mosin I have debated re-shellacking it but I've read that the correct pre-refurb finish is just a BLO finish as well, but im not sure of the validity of this.

Go here and read FAQ No. 27

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinFAQ.htm

This is a fairly authoritative site. It could have errors, of course, but failing documentary evidence to the contrary, I work on the assumption that it is basically correct.

---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:24 PM ----------

Would the original finish be BLO for this as well?

Linseed oil, but not boiled (see contributions by Peter Laidler and others on the L-E_ forum).
BLO dries quicker. I use comestible grade linseed oil that is now 25 years old. You may not want to wait so long!

[ct241]

Thank you! One more question: Do you have any idea what type of wood the Lee Enfield is wearing? The wood grain does not look like the typical walnut or beechwood that you often see on military rifles. Also do you know if it's the original stock set?

Collin

[Patrick Chadwick]

Sorry, I'll have to pass on that question. It really requires hands-on examination. I have a couple of Enfield stock bits myself that are neither walnut not beech. A butt that I could identify as Tasmanian blackwood (but only after seeing another in the Lithgow museum) and a No.1MkIII set that is WW1 "emergency" quality walnut - rather streaky and nothing like furniture quality. You may have something similar.