New Pattern 14 - Original Finish, or Should I Refinish?

[Chev454ls]

I just acquired a Pattern 14 that is in decent shape overall, but the stock has a dark finish that has a bit of a sheen to it in some spots. Do you think this is the original finish? Most of the pictures I've seen of other P-14's seem to have a finish similar to my M1917, so I'm wondering if I should refinish the stock. In this case, would it deminish the value at all? I'm also having a hard time discerning whether the metal is finished in black enamel paint or Suncorite.

If you think I should refinish the stock, how should I go about doing it? I've never refinished a stock before, but I'm very capable (I just haven't had the need yet). I know there may be some tutorials out there, but I'd definitely appreciate the opinion(s) of those more familiar with this particular model of rifle.

The pictures below are to compare the P-14 stock to my M1917.

Information

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[WarPig1976]

It looks to me like Bubba had his way with your rifle... No that is not the original finish, it appears to have been shellacked. That is not the original metal finish either and appears to be painted. As for refinishing, Warpath Vintage advertises here and can do the metal. The wood you can strip and refinish with linseed oil,Boiled linseed oil,Tung oil, whatever you choose.

Will it affect value? Well, Bubba already worked it over so i say no.

[browningautorifle]

I'm sorta with Warpig on this, I'd be tempted to have a go at re-doing it.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I'm also having a hard time discerning whether the metal is finished in black enamel paint or Suncorite.

It's horrible! Get it off! Try using the jelly paint stripper based on (I think) xylene or toluene or some such ???-ene. Do not get it on your hands - for a couple of seconds it feels cool, then burns like hell. But the stuff will remove paint without spoiling any original finish that may be underneath.

You have what I term a "treacle rifle". And they can be very satisfying to clean up! Here is an example:

Before:
Attachment 43233
After:
Attachment 43234

QED. Go to it!

[garyohartnett]

gday gents ,

i may be wrong because its hard to tell with out the rifle in your hands .

but i don't think it has been "bubberised "

i have several pattern 14s ,one of which came from arsenal storage ,
the paint was used as a protection ,cheap and nasty but it worked ,i know us aussies used it (flat green and gloss black) and the indians did too.with out digging through the safe i cannot remember who else did it .
it comes of easy with solvents .

when removing nasty stuff like this i always use the most gentle degreaser i can find with the finest steel wool some time you may end up soaking the furniture in a caustic solution ( i think you blokes use something called navel jelly) i use a jelly paint stripper .

i always finish the wood in boiled linseed multiple coats ,buff it after each coat for gloss of leave it for flat arsenal finish .

hope this helps .

ps there is a hundred ways to skin a cat though some one i am sure will have a better or at least different idea.