All Matching and How Do I Repair the Finish on the Stock

[Singer B]

I am in the process of cleaning and conserving a CE44 Kar98k for a friend who just acquired it from a private collection. Upon first review, it appeared to be all numbers matching and may have an original sling (I was hoping someone cold confirm that since I know nothing about slings). The rifle has been sitting in rack for many years and the sides of the rack have worn away part of the finish on the stock (see photo).

All of the visible numbers matched. Once the rifle was dismantled, all of the numbers inside matched except for the number located on the inside of the front (small) wooden handguard. Everything shows "970" or "70" except this handguard which has "9445" stamped in it. Should this part be numbered "970" also?

How can I determine if the sling is original (I included a photo of the buckle)? Can anyone provide a recommendation to repair the damaged finish on the stock?

Thank you!

[Singer B]

Here are some additional photos -

[Sapper740]

I recently got a deal on two rifles that need their stocks refinished so I'm in the same boat, never having refinished a stock and in the process of learning how. There are several videos on YouTube and books available detailing the process. One author recommends spraying the furniture with Easy Off oven cleaner, letting it sit for about 15 minutes and washing it off with water before it dries. This will remove all of the original finish apparently quite well and after a light pass of 0000 steel wool or fine sandpaper the stock will be ready for refinishing. Not having tried this method yet I can't vouch for its efficacy but I'm going to give it a shot. I'm starting to dabble a little in gunsmithing and recently cleaned, polished, and reblued a set of protector ears for the foresight of my C.L.L.E. They were in rough shape when they arrived from the seller and now they look like they're brand new, matching the finish of the rifle. I know some experienced gunsmiths are probably finding our baby steps amusing but Hey! you've got to start somewhere, right?

[tiriaq]

I would be extremely cautious about stripping and refinishing a stock. I would be more inclined to repair damage than to do a full refinish. Or even just leave it alone.

[K98kG43]

Nice rifle! I too need to work on a k98 stock, I would try some stripper on a cloth in a small area where the finish is already bad. Just dont sand it or brush it hard, you dont want to lose the stamps. Oil it good when your done. Not sure what products work best but I have seen k98 stocks restored nice with no issues.

Yes as far as I know the handguard should be numbered to the gun, or not at all, I would have to dig out a couple books. But the Sling looks like an orignal, I have a couple from same maker on some rifles that were vet bring backs.

[Singer B]

I have no plan to strip the stock since the rest of the gun is in such great original condition. I'm just hoping to restore that "worn" area and blend it back in with the original finish.

---------- Post added at 10:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

Nice rifle! I too need to work on a k98 stock, I would try some stripper on a cloth in a small area where the finish is already bad. Just dont sand it or brush it hard, you dont want to lose the stamps. Oil it good when your done. Not sure what products work best but I have seen k98 stocks restored nice with no issues.

Yes as far as I know the handguard should be numbered to the gun, or not at all, I would have to dig out a couple books. But the Sling looks like an orignal, I have a couple from same maker on some rifles that were vet bring backs.

Thank you. That is great news about the sling. I had never seen an original but this rifle came from the collection of military surplus dealer and if anyone would have had one, this gentleman would have it!

[Daan Kemp]

That doesn't look like rack wear to me.

[GeeRam]

The finish on the stock isn't original to my eyes, its looks like some sort of varnish finish, probably applied by the vet after he brought it back to make it look pretty.
The finish under it, which you are looking at in that 'worn' strip is the original stock finish.

Looks like the handguard is mismatched going by the photo's of the serial number are matching on one piece in a photo (I'm guessing the stock?) and doesn't match in the other, which I'm guessing is the handguard??

Sling is original. L&F is Linden & Funke KG, Iserlohn. Same maker as my original one on my Norwegian surrender K98k.

[Singer B]

It is definitely rack wear. I saw the rifle in the rack and the wear mark corresponds to the rack. The M1A I purchased from the same rack/collection has the same mark corresponding to the rack. I know how to fix the M1A so no problem there.

[Singer B]

Thank you sir! I think you have identified the problem. I compared this stock to the stock on my all-matching original AR41 and you appear to be correct. The key is the firing pin take down disc in the stock. I should have noticed it earlier. There appears to definitely be a coat of some type of varnish on the stock similar to what we see on Russian captures. That is why the rack mark exists since it rubbed off the varnish. I will contact the owner and recommend he let me strip the coating and then rehydrate the top layer with raw linseed oil. This is why I love this site - you get great information from some very knowledgeable people!