Refinishing a stock

[Ramjo]

So I am fixing to buy a rifle online, and I was wondering how hard it would be (if at all possible) to turn a stock that is so dark brown that it's almost black, into a refinished thing of beauty?

The gun in question is an Enfield No4 Mk II. Many of these old guns are almost black in color.

[DMark]

Here is one of the best guides to working with old MILSUP stocks.

C&R stock cleaning Forum

The only other advice I would give is this...., don't forget that you are working with a piece of history.

Often refinishing an old military rifle into a thing of beauty removes any trace of the service that it has so faithfully given.

BTW - - - That is a good looking Enfield. They are getting harder and harder to find.

Good Luck!

[gregintenn]

If it's original, I'd suggest you buy a replacement stock that suits your taste and stick that one back in the closet. In original condition, you'll one day have a quite valuable piece. Refinishing the wood would kill that possibility.

Also, if you can turn an Enfield into a thing of beauty, you are quite the magician.

[Garufa]

That pic is really not a good indicator of what the stock really looks like. It probably is much nicer in person.

I recommend only cleaning it and getting any comso out of the wood if there is any. No need to refinish it to do either of those.

[Guest Skeeter]

I recommend only cleaning it and getting any comso out of the wood if there is any. No need to refinish it to do either of those.

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Ditto,

Murphy 's Oil Soap hottest water that will come out of the tub tap for the finial rinse.

* I've used this on the metal as well ( remove the bolt ) finial rinse in very hot water, this heats the metal and aids in drying ( heat gun or the ole hair dryer followed with a light oil wipe for the metal.)

Old English Furniture Polish or Lemon oil for the wood to put moisture back in with a nice sheen.

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