What is the correct finish on an M39 mosin stock? I havent handled a lot of these but I was under the impression they were all basically raw wood with and oil/wax finish.
I picked up a 1942 VKT M39 this weekend. Metal is nice with no pitting and VG to excellent bluing. The barrel is shiny with crisp rifling. The stock is post war but solid and pretty nice all around. What has me stumped is how shiny the stock is, though. There is clearly a shellac or varnish on the surface of the wood. You can really tell where this finish it worn though, right behind the tang where your thumb would rest. The other thing is, some of the metal hardware appears to have build up of whatever this shellac is on it. Mineral spirits doesn't touch it. I tested some acetone on the metal parts and it dissolves quite quickly.
Did the Finns ever use a shellac finish? Im having a tough time believing this is factory applied with the metal hardware being coated too. I just want to confirm this isnt a factory coating. I think Id like to strip it and reapply an oil type finish.
PICS below. I dont know how well this will shop up but I tried
I cleaned the center with acetone, but you can still see what looks like varnish around the edges.
This shows clearly where the varnish/shellac (whatever) is worn off.
This is a rubbery glob on the upper handguard, similar to whats on the barrel band.
I picked up a 1942 VKT M39 this weekend. Metal is nice with no pitting and VG to excellent bluing. The barrel is shiny with crisp rifling. The stock is post war but solid and pretty nice all around. What has me stumped is how shiny the stock is, though. There is clearly a shellac or varnish on the surface of the wood. You can really tell where this finish it worn though, right behind the tang where your thumb would rest. The other thing is, some of the metal hardware appears to have build up of whatever this shellac is on it. Mineral spirits doesn't touch it. I tested some acetone on the metal parts and it dissolves quite quickly.
Did the Finns ever use a shellac finish? Im having a tough time believing this is factory applied with the metal hardware being coated too. I just want to confirm this isnt a factory coating. I think Id like to strip it and reapply an oil type finish.
PICS below. I dont know how well this will shop up but I tried
I cleaned the center with acetone, but you can still see what looks like varnish around the edges.
This shows clearly where the varnish/shellac (whatever) is worn off.
This is a rubbery glob on the upper handguard, similar to whats on the barrel band.
![[rofl]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/013.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
