Quote Originally Posted by Bruce_in_Oz View Post
Step away from teh Arisakas!

If yours have a "reddish hue", and are in overall "excellent" condition, with the timber slightly rough, they are likely as "original" as you will get.

The Japaneseicon used Potassium Permanganate (Condy's Crystals) as a fungicide on a LOT of their woodwork, hence the "reddish hue".

Most people see Arisakas that are pretty much "black", but that is a result of a lot of "fondling in the field" and being outdoors in "interesting places". Being tossed into piles for decades in dodgy warehouses, post war probably didn't help, either.

Apparently, they also played with Teak as a furniture; tough as old boots but harder to work and somewhat denser than Walnut.
Do you happen to know what the potassium permeganate was dissolved in/mixed with to produce a liquid for application? It appears to be readily available as a powder, would love to know if there is a way to mix it up for touch up or full restoration work.