Two finished-This is work!

[SGT K]

I have a new-found respect for people who can do this and do it right. I pulled these two rifles out of the bunch to clean up and refinish because they had like-new hanguards and the barreled receivers were arsenal refinished. I thought to myself, "This will be easy, all I have to do is clean the stock and refinish it to match the handguards". Silly me. Despite my best efforts they don't quite match.

I located the birch stock on another rifle that had walnut handguards. The only way I could really tell it was birch is looking on the inside - the outside was black and sticky like tar. I used almost every tip you guys gave me to get it cleaned up. I finally tinted it with some diluted red mahogany stain to get it close to the color of the handguards. If I was doing it over I would strip all three pieces and stain them at one time. As usual, I have much to learn.

I did find a nifty oiler inside one of the stocks. It is clear hard plastic with a compartment and applicator on each end. The paper label on it says:
1005 - 79 - 3377
CASE
1 EA A
8/55***LEAD

I attached a photo and I want to thank everyone who took the time to offer their personal experience and advice. Hopefully I will get a little better at this as I progress.

Paul

Information

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[Brett]

Paul,

They look great. I normally don't like the look of birch, but I'd still shoot yours! haha Nice Work.

Brett

[U.S.G.I.]

For what it is worth most of us learn by trail and errors... That what's nice about Garanditis your not alone on your quest. There are plenty of us doing and learning new things about this hobby all the time. I have had garanditis for about eight years now. Just can't shake it and I enjoy having it.

Jeff

[Carl R]

They look good to me. Great job! Carl