Couldn't help myself...

[LithgowHT]

Here's my Longbranch No.4 Mk1 *

Been sitting in the safe for a while and a month ago I decided to clean it up a little.
The rifle had excellent potential as a 1949 model it didn't see much use, possibly mounties or such. The worst marks the timber had were vice armourers marks near the receiver, the blue on the barrel was perfect, only slight scrapes on the mag and trigger guard.

Stripped the rifle and carefully sanded back anything offensive, over this a very careful layer of french polish was applied. (diluted shellac solution I think)

Cleaned up the but plate, trigger guard and mag with some fresh blue and am pretty happy with the result.

Barrel and bolt are like new and after some tender loving care the completed unit looks like a commercial rifle.

I'll probably will cop comments from those who never sand and god forbid use polish, but it's not overdone and I think will serve many years at the range, possibly hunting also.

Also added with the photos is the Australian AIA No.4 T model (which has just been sold to a mate) this is a new 308 version full wood and a nice unit also. Had nowhere else to post it so I thought here is as good as anything.

The Longbranch is dark brown and the AIA is light teak.

Comments?

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[louthepou]

Allow me to be the first

Well she sure does look good. Over here I don't get to see LE with superb intact blue often.

A few questions:

1. (You saw that one coming): What do you refer to when you say you "sanded away anything offensive"? How... "enthusiastic" was the sanding?

2. Why not linseed oil for a finish? Shellac is for Mosin Nagant Personnally I don't mind folks venturing off the prescribed path as long as the process is reversible (in the case of shellac, if that's indeed what you used, it is easlily reversible so I can't consider this a serious offense )

Lou

[Youngblood]

Comments?

Nice job on the Longbranch, it is pretty and shiny. I agree, it looks quite like a commercial "Remchesterby".

[LithgowHT]

Howdy Lou, yeah the shellac finish is reversible with little work, It just looks too good right now for a military rifle.
The offensive bits were just the lousey overall original finish of the wood, and the minor vice marks from an armourer.
What do you think, should I finish the stock with linseed oil? or just sell the rifle and start again. jok.