I have a Lee-Enfield that tends to grow mildew on the stock. I’ve had it since 1994 and it has always been a problem. The gun spends most of its time in a metal gun security cabinet in my unheated attic. I also live in a rather wet part of the country. On the other hand, I have a dehumidifier in the cabinet and none of my other rifles (including guns of similar and older vintage) have this issue. I’ve cleaned the stock a number of times, even using a mild bleach solution and a TSP solution, but the mildew returns. I don’t want to damage the wood, but I can’t figure out what the problem is. I wonder if there is some aspect of the type of wood or finish they used in 1948 that is making the difference. I thought that if I killed the spores, the problem would be solved, but apparently not. I’d rather not have to store that gun in a different location and I’m not even sure that would solve the problem.
Any thoughts?
Griff