I just bought a W stamped M1917 enfield stock. It’s in overall great condition. It also has the eagle stamped on it. Someone at some point must have waxed it or whatever? It looks a little shiny and a little more brighter brown than darker/ service used looking. I believe the stock might have been unissued or someone probably refinished it at some point. I’d like to strip off what ever finish is on it as GENTLY as possible and then wipe it down with some oil to give it an original look. I still have to find a pair of upper hand guards for it as well and I’m sure the wood coloring won’t match exactly so I want do all three pieces with the same oil and process so they will match or at least be close. I found a new, unissued front Winchester marked handguard that looks a lot lighter...I haven’t bought it yet. If I order it tonight I still need a rear handguard.
Anyways back to my original question. In the past I normally just sand most if my stocks and then oil. I don’t want to sand...or very little as possible so I don’t remove the 102 year stamping son my stock.
How do you guys refinish yours?
...and I believe boiled linseed oil was used back a 102 years ago on my stock originally?