Im working on a RIA model 1903 that I hope to become my primary CMP match gun. Ive picked up a pretty decent original C stock, and I think it will clean up pretty nicely. I am debating what to do to it. Obviously, this is a rebuilt Greek import rifle, and I am going to piece together the components for it, so making it perfect, or leaving it original isnt a concern. Im just hoping to make it look nice. Has a drawing number stamped on the bottom, and remnants of the "s" in the bolt cutoff notch. Other than those, no other cartouches. Its pretty dark and dirty/oily, like most old military stocks.
Stock has the usual battle scars, nicks, dings, chips etc. Nothing too major, some fixable, some not.
Do I dare take water rag and an iron to the stock to remove finish and raise what I can?
I've also heard of folks using denaturated alcohol to clean and raise. Any thoughts?
I have a NOS handguard I plan to use, may use a stain on the main stock to help match the color a little.
I plan to use hand rubbed boiled linseed as the final step.
Any recommendations, opinions, experience tips etc. gladly apprecaited.
I sure dont want to mess up this piece of wood, it has a lot of potential, its far better than many original stocks Ive seen.
Stock has the usual battle scars, nicks, dings, chips etc. Nothing too major, some fixable, some not.
Do I dare take water rag and an iron to the stock to remove finish and raise what I can?
I've also heard of folks using denaturated alcohol to clean and raise. Any thoughts?
I have a NOS handguard I plan to use, may use a stain on the main stock to help match the color a little.
I plan to use hand rubbed boiled linseed as the final step.
Any recommendations, opinions, experience tips etc. gladly apprecaited.
I sure dont want to mess up this piece of wood, it has a lot of potential, its far better than many original stocks Ive seen.