Correct stock finish for M1903?

[MilsurpMM]

From what I've noticed, almost all M1903s have a glossy finish to their rifles, but mine looks like it lacks that glossy color except on the hand guard. Were some M1903s finished like how mine is at an arsenal, or is it an incorrect finish done by the previous owner?

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[browningautorifle]

That's an oil finish, which is how they all started. Later they would be hand rubbed with BLO and turned glassy...

[MilsurpMM]

The thing is that I've been trying to put numerous coats of BLO on the stock and it never seems to make it glossy. The last coat I even let sit on the rifle for almost 2 and a half days.

[rcathey]

It's the handling after an oil finish that makes it glossy. Soldiers and civilians handling surplus rifles over the course of decades essentially buffed out the finish.
I've read stories of GIs passing the time by "boning" their stocks -- essentially rubbing the stocks with a bone (I think the story I read the GI was using a Coke bottle) to compress the fibers and make them glossy.

[painter777]

I've been trying to put numerous coats of BLO on the stock

After first putting multiple coats of BLO on it.... How is it that one could expect RLO to penetrate the now sealed in Hard BLO finish?

[WarPig1976]

There's an art to a hand rubbed oil finish. The last one on the bench took three months. I'm working on a oil finish on a Remington 700 stock now which may be ready in two because the grain in the walnut is tight.
All you need is time, time and a little more time.
BTW, you're not going to match decades of burnishing. Just stop when the wood doesn't take anymore, maybe 5 or 6 "coats". Wipe all the oil off or you'll have a sticky mess.

[Randy A]

I'm pretty sure that's an AB&B stock, (WWII replacement) unless the arsenal did any additional application they were just dipped. The hand guard is a lot older.

[Chuckindenver]

try using Danish oil.. usually 3 coats,, let sit for a few days,
break it down with 00 steel wool, and then rub some rifle grease into the stock with a rag

[WarPig1976]

Sorry Chuck but I have to disagree. The wiping varnishes aren't good on rifle stocks over the long haul. Among other reasons, If your working with wood that has some soaked in gun oil or cosmoline it can flake off like Shellac as it ages. Despite the trade names Tru-Oil, Tung oil and Danish oil they contain very little of the said "oil".

[rcathey]

Agreed. Matching that classic red-tinged finish isn’t an immediate process. Stick with the linseed oil and it’ll look perfect *someday.*