ar42 zf41 What do you think

[tdarmo]

Just got this today. I will need an extra set of hands to get the barrel band off. Curious to get to see if serial numbers match. Please share your thoughts.

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[Aragorn243]

Looks like a good one but something with the stock seems off. It looks like it has old varnish on it that has aged and cracked. I'd wait till the experts chime in.

[tdarmo]

That was my thought on the stock. Now the question to strip the stock or leave it alone ??

[browningautorifle]

I would use a liquid strip and gently remove the varnish that's masquerading as finish...perhaps even carefully scrape as the old men used to do it. Then a gentle sand and oil.

[cipherk98]

That kind of varnish shouldn't be too difficult to remove with a little patience but I've been fooled before. May not even need sanding, just oiling when you're done depending on what and how much you use. Only thing I can't recall is if you run any risk of damaging of the glue in the laminate with certain finish removers... someone else will know. Only concern would be metal parts scratching it along with the wood underneath when taking them off as it looks like it's on really thick though it does not appear to have been applied with the metal in so you may be alright.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Yes looks legit & varnished. Might try Citri-strip or denatured alcohol perhaps in an inconspicuous area first . Both very gentle on the underlying wood in my experience.

[browningautorifle]

Only thing I can't recall is if you run any risk of damaging of the glue in the laminate

I did think of that, this one might be a candidate for a careful scrape...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The DA worked quite well on a Russian capture. Cannot recall if they are varnished or shellacked.
Surely proceed with caution as that one is far nicer than any RC. I think this may have been a common practice with WWII bring backs as I have see quite a few Arisaka & Mauser rifles given the "treatment".

[tdarmo]

Attachment 78666Attachment 78667Attachment 78668Attachment 78669Attachment 78670 Forgot to post pictures of cleaned up stock.

[browningautorifle]

Very, very nice now. Hard to believe it's seen as much as it has.