Finishing a C stock

[Sniper1944]

Hi all,

I have just received a C stock which is to be fitted to my A4 clone. The stock was advertised as unissued (the only marking I can find on it is a "K" stamped in the recess for the mag cut off lever.)

The stock itself is unfinished, no treatment on it, but thankfully only requires light work to fit to the rifle metal work.

I'm just wondering what's the best way/method to finish the stock and bring out the colour of the wood?




Thanks,

Paul.

Information

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[Kirk]

I have used Formby's Tung Oil Finish on several stocks. It brings out the wood grain, is easy to apply, dries quickly & best of all, is virtually water proof.

[daveboy]

Everyone who finishes stocks has their own method. BLO is my method. Easy to apply and will bring out the natural grain of the wood. This is an example of what it looks like on a new stock. The example also has a light brownish/red alcohol stain applied to give it some age. If your stock is old then it should look okay with just the oil. If you do a search on this forum fo stock finishing you should get plenty of advice.

daveboy

[Sniper1944]

Hi all,

Both methods sound good to me, I have a 1903 Springfield with woodwork that has a nice rich colour to it which I'd like to try replicate on this stock.

I have had a look at other threads on the restoration section, but as said, many people have many different ways.

I will charge my camera tomorrow and post up some pics of the stock, so people can see exactly what I have to work with.




Thanks so far

Paul

[Allen Humphrey]

To my knowledge, the A3/A4 stocks only used an oil finish, and only/exposure time brought forth the red color shift. As mentioned by daveboy, I have also used a brownish/red alcohol stain to mimic the age. I finished with Minwax Tung Oil Finish for faster drying and somewhat better moisture protection. The Minwax is clearly not an authentic finish.

[vintage hunter]

Sounds like you have a Keystone WWII replacement stock. As mentioned earlier everyone has his methods. If it were mine, being completely dry, i would soak it in boiled linseed oil then wipe off the excess and let it sit a while. Next, dampen a coarse cloth with a little linseed oil and rub it in. Dont leave too much oil as it will turn sticky. Do this once or twice a day for a week to 10 days and you should end up with a nice low luster finish much like the originals.

[daveboy]

I have used Formby's Tung Oil Finish and while it is easy to apply and provides a very durable finish, it is actually a thinned-down varnish that can be wiped on the stock. The finish actually sits "on" the wood instead of "in" it. Genuine tung oil (as opposed to "tung oil finish") IS a penetrating oil and I believe it was used on Garands later in the production. I'm not sure if it was ever an original finish on '03s although I am sure it was used during rebuilds. Genuine tung oil can be found in most of your hardware stores. You wipe or brush it on, allow to soak in for an hour or so, then wipe off. Goes on much like BLO. It's not authentic, but only a diehard collector would know the difference.

daveboy