is this water? and what can I do about it?

Looks like it. I've come across a few that looked pretty much the same. Wood bleach has worked well on the ones I've done. You'll probably have to get get down to the bare wood first (I did/do).

Looks like a classic black water stain. Was the stock in contact with carpet or a gun case that got wet? The only cure is a complete strip and treatment with oxalic acid wood bleach. Then stain and re-finish.

Wear protection and use appropriate products ; Read this by Jeff ; as it's a VERY GOOD assessment .

http://antiquerestorers.com/Ar...sing_wood_bleach.htm


I will only add after which ever treatment you chose , use Distilled water and Chlorine bleach to KILL

any residual fungus ,allow to stand 5 minutes ; I prefer calcium hypochlorite normally dry pool bleach .

After clean rinse with baking soda and distilled water repeat with clean distilled water . Followed by

several wipes with a clean rag soaked with : Acetone or Lacquer thinner .

It drives the water out of the wood faster .

Remove your flammables or take your stock too another area . Follow with a low heat hair dryer or heat gun .

Remember LOW heat !. BOL ...