To clean up the wood or not.

[GNut76]

I have an M1 that I'm thinking of cleaning up a bit with mineral spirits. Right now the stock has the Normandy look....ie very dark wood salty. It's a 42 reciever with a 52 barrell so it's seen real use. Has anyone done this and how are the results? I'm thinking this over in my head and would like some feedback.:supergrin:

[Faulkner]

I've cleaned up dozens of M1 rifle and M1 carbine stocks. Life is too short to own a ugly gun. Here's some pictures of a carbine project I did back in the winter.

Disassembled but before I stripped the old oil finish off.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031484.jpg


The stock stripped down to the bare black walnut.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031488.jpg


The metal parts going into my parts soaker for a overnight soak in mineral spirits.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031492.jpg


The stock after it's first hand rubbed coat of Boiled Linseed Oil mixed with mineral spirits. If you don't cut the BLO it will take months to dry.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031510.jpg


In between about half a dozen coats of BLO, I work on cleaning up the metal parts.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031523.jpg


Finished project.

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL488/1124764/21869003/361031530.jpg

[Aquanewt]

faulkner I must say you do good work !