Is there a website where I can look at different types of stock finishes? I have an old Mauser that was sporterized in the 1950's I'm guessing. The metal work is beautiful, and it has nice old peep sights on it.

The stock on the other hand is scratched and beat and looks like it was dipped in cheap acrylic or something. It looks like black walnut, and has nice grain but the finish is horrible. I'd like to have a nice old school finish like I've seen on some rifles carried by Ph's. I almost need to see one to say what it is, but it looks dark, and very low gloss.

I'm not sure if it's an oil finish with years of sweaty patina, or if it's some kind of low gloss varnish? Any place that shows various stock finishes? Once I know what kind of finish it is, I can ask you guys the second question...how do I do it?!

Thanks in advance.

quote:

Originally posted by N'gagi:

I'm not sure if it's an oil finish with years of sweaty patina , or if it's some kind of low gloss varnish? Any place that shows various stock finishes? Once I know what kind of finish it is, I can ask you guys the second question...how do I do it?!

Thanks in advance.

Hey Mark, great to see you posting again. It seems like it has been a long time.

As to the PH finishes, probably BLO that has had years to cure and darken.

I believe the more porous nature of black walnut makes it more difficult to finish with an "in the wood" old style linseed oil finish. But others who actually know about such things will chime in.

Glad to see you back!

Thanks Jason. It got to where it seemed like all the posts were the same ones over and over so I got away for a while. But I didn't stop hunting! It's good to be back and thanks for remembering me

Chic Worthing and Mike Tulowitzki at my gunsmithing school turned me to Daly's products and I have taken a liking to it.

If you are wanting a satin type finish do some research on Daly's Benmatte modified tung oil.

Here is a browning A5 I did recently, first attempt at using the stuff:
Ignore the checkering as I did not freshen it up or apply finish in it when I took the pic. Now it is crisp and finished.

Here are some PIX of a straight grained English walnut stock finished W/"Min-Wax Antique Oil Finish" over Birchwood Casey filler & Birchwood Casey water based walnut stain.

Thats the look. Maybe a little blacker.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Little:
Chic Worthing and an instructor at my gunsmithing(Mike T.) school turned me to Daly's products and I have taken a liking to it

Chic did the stock on my .458. My thought was to ask him, but without knowing what I'm trying to copy, it's hard to ask for help.

quote:

Originally posted by N'gagi:
Thats the look. Maybe a little blacker.

On "BLACK" Walnut it would be a lot "BLACKER".

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

As to the PH finishes, probably BLO that has had years to cure and darken.

I believe the more porous nature of black walnut makes it more difficult to finish with an "in the wood" old style linseed oil finish. But others who actually know about such things will chime in.

I have done BLO on black walnut.

It takes many coats of oil just slopped on once every 24 hours until it won't soak up any more. Set it aside for a week of so until it gums up & then cut it back to the wood W/some 00 steel wool, but don't over do the rubbing. As soon as you see the smooth oil soaked wood coming out from under the gummy surface crud, stop!

Let it cure for several days & then start the long process of rubbing a coat in by hand until your hand & the wood get almost too hot to touch.

Buff it off lightly W/a soft clean cloth to build up a microscopic layer of oil, then repeat & repeat & repeat, etc, etc, etc.

Every time I came from a rainy day in the woods, I sat the gun somewhere where it will dry thouroughly, then rub on some more oil & wipe it off.

The beauty of this type of finish is that it gets better looking W/aqe & small scratches will disappear if hit lightly W/some 000 steel wool followed by a bit of oil. One can also touch up larger scars too.