To restore Stock or leave alone?

[shottist]

Collectors please help. I have an original WRA stock on my correct WRA M1. The Stock is in over all reasonable condition for its age. It does however have a number of dings, scrapes and gouges, most, if not all of which could be repaired. My dilemma is, should I refurbish this stock or just oil it and leave it alone? Other Milsurp collector sites seem to consider these usage marks part of a rifles history and consider refurbishing beyond oiling a cardinal sin. What say you? Thanks in advance for your responses.

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[RCS]

some of my 1941 Winchesters have some well used stocks from the RS and WB time period. I would not even consider refinishing the stocks or metal

[Bill Hollinger]

Clean up and throw some linseed oil at it but refurbish/restore? NO!

[dbarn]

I have a 1944 Winchester that is believed mostly if not completely original. It has patina and finish wear to the metal. If I restore the stock it would look completely out of place. This old girl has earned the right to retire in unmolested peace.

[ballbags]

Restore it ONLY if you want To DESTROY all Value

[Bob Womack]

How about replacing the wood with new stuff and keeping the old around unmolested for collector value?

Bob

[dastier]

How about replacing the wood with new stuff and keeping the old around unmolested for collector value?

Bob

I agree with Bob, I have a Danish Garand that I'm restoring which is mostly a 1943 Springfield Garand including the stock (correct catouches, etc). The stock is pretty dinged up and the cartouches are faint so I don't want to shoot this rifle and risk further damage to the stock.

I'm planning on replacing the original stock and preserving it. So I can shoot my Garand, I will obtain a replacement stock (Boyds etc).

IMHO Milsurps cannot be fully enjoyed unless you shoot them but I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. Just my $0.02

[Charlie59]

Why would you want to do that? I wouldn't unless I was planning on shooting it a lot, in which case I'd get an extra rifle as a shooter.

[Bob Womack]

There are good reasons to do that:

Wanting to shoot it and not risk the old wood, i.e. there could be splits that could be exacerbated by shooting, etc.
The dings and nicks could be bad enough that it is right on the edge of acceptable or comfortable to the owner.
Wanting to repair the old wood and have plenty of time to consider the best route.
Wanting to experience something of what a new recruit in '44 felt when he drew a shiny new weapon.

I've done that very thing with mine while I consider what to do with a badly split fore-end.





Bob

[Charlie59]

There are good reasons to do that:

Wanting to shoot it and not risk the old wood, i.e. there could be splits that could be exacerbated by shooting, etc.
The dings and nicks could be bad enough that it is right on the edge of acceptable or comfortable to the owner.
Wanting to repair the old wood and have plenty of time to consider the best route.
Wanting to experience something of what a new recruit in '44 felt when he drew a shiny new weapon.

I've done that very thing with mine while I consider what to do with a badly split fore-end.





Bob

I hadn't considered a couple points you highlighted. Thanks!