Sentryduty's No.4 Mk I Repair and Restoration

[Sentryduty]

I have been using 0000 steel wool like a coarse rag to remove the stripper and lifted varnish in layers. Who ever painted this thing up covered it like a first year wood shop student making a candle holder for his mother. The initial stripping lifted the crude brush strokes in seconds, and the second got the main coverage, but now I am left with the globs at the ends of the wood, where a brushstroke would end and the next fresh dip would begin. The one heavy coat until brush marks and runs are left in the finish school of painting.

Judging by the smell of the wood, this stuff was applied right over top of the old BLO, making for a fine mess really. However I think this will clean up alright in the end.

[Peter Laidler]

We used to carefully scrape our woodwork down with a scraper that I seem to recall was part of our basic kit. Can I please suggest that you keep the butt as it's got a good real Armourers plugged and pegged patch. There's something about them done properly like that. I see Vince's patched Sten pistol grip is undercut and pegged too.....

[Sentryduty]

good real Armourers plugged and pegged patch. There's something about them done properly like that.

Of course, I intend to reuse all of this rifle if possible. If you like nice patches, I have something to share later this evening.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Oh Darren you lucky lad! A real treacle rifle. If the bodger really did just slosh the varnish over the oiled finish, then it will be surprisingly well preserved underneath the crud, as the BLO will have prevented deep pore penetration by the varnish. May I suggest that when you have removed the worst, you try my patent scraper/burnisher method. Go here to see what I mean:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....=treacle+rifle

Post #45 shows before and after views of a No.4 butt that has been smoothed with a scraper (not actually scraping, more smoothing down the wood fibers). Give it a try. You may be very pleasantly surprised. And keep up the good work!

[Sentryduty]

Just for Peter!





But what is it attached to you might ask?

My yet unshown 1944 M47C built No4. Mk 1 of course!

[Sentryduty]

Tonight's efforts in photos:



My wife looked at me like I asked for Monty Python's Holy Grail when I inquired about our stocks of floppy diskettes, so I crafted my own version of Patrick's scraper/burnisher using locally sourced ersatz materials.







The forestock pins drifted out as Peter suggested:



And on to the 3rd coating of gel stripper



Members from Oz, do you guys have this problem with your Cattle dogs as well? Put out a blanket and they are more content to flop down and lay in the dirtiest part of the shop.



After cleaning the last coat off I took some shots for Peter, observing how the wrist repair goes all the way into the socket. Still sturdy after all these years!





And in closeout we finish this evening with a mock up shot without any finish. From here I think it is time to start repairs.



Late edit: here is a before shot from the first page, a little before and after:

[Vincent]

That looks great! The light wood contrasts nicely with the dark metal.

[Sentryduty]

That looks great! The light wood contrasts nicely with the dark metal.

Thanks Vincent, I have never had a blonde stocked one before, I am guessing this is Beech perhaps?

[Vincent]

Thanks Vincent, I have never had a blonde stocked one before, I am guessing this is Beech perhaps?

That would be my guess too..... but I know nothing about wood.

[Sentryduty]

but I know nothing about wood.

I as well, I was thinking about buying a book, but I don't think it would give me the background I am looking for: