Swedish Ljungman AG42B Stock Finish

[RangeHound]

I have been searching the internet for the correct finish on a AG42B. I have found where some say it was a darker brown color and others that it was BLO. Knowing that these were beech staining would almost require a dye stain to keep from blotching. BLO will produce an almost blonde color. One picture showed some checkering that almost indicated a shellac type finish.

I have looked back the AG42B's that have sold and most are almost an blonde with a tinge of orange in them. My M96 is beech and has a light finish.

So is there any definitive research that shows how the AG42B was refinished at arsenal in the 50's? Looks like a lot of opinions but nothing consistent. Any thoughts or links would be appreciated.
Ron

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[rcathey]

Nothing to add specifically for these rifles but I will say the colors you describe sound exactly like what I would expect from BLO. When fresh it would be blonde, aging to orangish, then finally brown. Especially with repeat applications and especially on a light wood like beech.

[browningautorifle]

There has to be a stain in it to make it dark at all. When in it's natural state and sanded, the stock would be white as can be. They take stain hard too, so you need to add alcohol or acetone...as I've done, so it thins and goes in. Then keep at it until it's dark enough. They have an oil stain, not a hard finish...

[Sunray]

"...blonde, aging to orangish..." Tung oil will do that too. More of a honey colour though. Only ever seen AG's as blonds with BLO.
Lots of discussion on the assorted forums about 'em being Beech with a tan stain to darken the natural colour of Beech. Dark brown allegedly after W.W. II.

[RangeHound]

I ordered a hand guard from Liberty that is supposed to be NOS. I'll be curious to see what color/shade it is. It won't solve/answer the question but will provide an interesting aspect to the discussion.

[swest]

Greetings, first time poster here.

I recently acquired a nice example of the AG-42B, however the wood finish has a problem, I believe. First off, it is rough to the touch. This was really my first clue that something might not be right.

When you look closely, you can clearly see what makes it rough. It's almost as if someone had applied a 'crackle' finish, although I assume that whatever finish was applied was not allowed to cure properly prior to being subject to humidity or temperature changes (just a guess).

Here's a close-up:

(this image may be a bit on the large side, but I wanted you to be able to see what I am talking about.)

Has anyone seen anything like this before? Is this likely to be a poor refinish, or might this be the original finish gone wrong?

And, finally, as awful as this finish is, do I risk lessening the value of my AG-42B by stripping it and starting over?

Thanks,

- s.west

(my image is not showing up... I'm working on figuring out why.)

To look at the image directly, click here.

[WarPig1976]

Looks like a crappy Shellac job. No way to tell what caused it there's countless ways to screw up a wood finish. Rub it with some alcohol to see. If it removes it, keep going then oil the stock.
I don't see you losing any value because it's not original anywayz...

[browningautorifle]

Same, looks like something that can be removed and just oil over it...

[swest]

Cool. Thanks, guys.

I forgot to mention that I tried mineral spirits (thinking that it would be sufficiently benign to not permanently damage anything), and it had no effect, whatsoever.

I will try some alcohol, and report back.

- s.west

[swest]

So...

alcohol == no effect
lacquer thinner == no effect

What's next, d'ya think?

Thanks, in advance.

- s.west