Does anyone who works with rifle stocks know for sure what finish winchester used on their post-1964 Model 70 rifles? I have just bought a post-1964 M70 that is badly in need of refinishing. No major gouges or cracks but an abundance of scratches and rubbed spots. Thanks for any information.

I have no idea exactly what was used, but appears, and acts like a poly varnish. Why not refinsh with a fine oil finish? Or you can buy a pre-64 kit if you like the style of the earlier rifles. If you want to touch up the existing stock you might try a steel wool rub down and then some wipe on poly like Minwax. I would much rather refinish a well scratched stock than try a touch up. I know this doesn't fully answer your question, but your question seemed to languish.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I learned a long time ago that a touch-up job on a stock was usually a waste of time. I am not familiar with refinishing kits for post-64 M70's. Where can I buy one? I have three other post-64 M70s in various calibers and they are in good shape with the original finish intact so I would like to refinish this one to math those as closely as possible.

I am unaware of any post-64 refinishing kit. What you may want to do is look at some stain that will closely match and use a Minwax wipe on poly in either gloss or satin. I like oil finishes and only use wipe on poly on some furniture pojects. This should not be too difficult since the finishes were not all that well done.

I'm not a 100 % certain but If my memory serves me I believe they were Nitrocellulose Lacquer finished .

The barreled action is finished in a polished blue, and the black walnut stock wears its original gloss lacquer finish.

I checked Chuck Hawks site and came away with the above quote .

I refinished one for a fellow Way Way back and used Mohawk coating materials ( back then was able to get Nitro

lacquer . New furniture catalyzed lacquer should work just fine . If it's to glossy rub it down a little .

High Gloss imparts the most durable of finishes . http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/ BOL ...