Older M94 30WCF proper stock finish???

[rpludwig]

have an older M94 30WCF in good overall condition, other than the stock & forearm which has been poorly "varnished over" with a rather thick, sloppy high gloss finish of some sort. Clearly not a factory finish....I'd like to properly refinish it, so what is/was the proper Winchester finish applied to these c. 1947 model 94's? what stain if any, what finish...BLO? Tung Oil? or other recommendations to bring it back to more original...

Thx in advance guys!

[Outpost75]

On my old Winchesters I have touched up and blended repairs over the original finish using a 50-50 mixture of a good marine grade spar varnish mixed with Fairtrimmers Military Ox Oil from Brownells. I apply this with the bare hand, and fingertips, letting dry for 24 hours between coats, then cutting down with a piece of washed burlap sack and repeating until I get the look that I want. This blends well with the original finish and when touched up carefully you cannot spot the repair.

https://www.brownells.com/userdocs/learn/fairtrimmers-inst.pdf

[M-Tecs]

This matches very well http://www.ebay.com/itm/121268798999?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Never used this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/160127/galazan-pre-64-winchester-stock-finish-kit-with-instructions

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Two threads up from this one on "Leverguns" there's another entitled, "Winchester 94 (pre-64) mag tube question". The poster included some nice photos of his very nice rifle, and you can see an original finish.

[quack1]

The Win 94 in the previous thread, while a nice gun, shows signs of being sanded fairly hard around both tangs and where the fore end meets the action. Probably was refinished when the checkering was added. The finish on it is a pretty close match to what the original finish on a late pre-64 would look like.

[rpludwig]

thx much for the replys!

just spoke with a renowned stockmaker/refinisher...recommended Timberluxe above all...chk out the youtube videos and their website on their product, may go that route...fwiw...

[M-Tecs]

Didn't know about http://timberluxe.com/

I will have to give it a try.

[quack1]

In answer to the OP's question, as far as I know, Winchester stained then coated with lacquer on post war pre-64 stocks. It was a cheap, easy to apply finish, but didn't stand up very well to a lot of use and wear.
There are many better finishes available now. The look of a post war lacquer finish with it's unfilled pores can be duplicated pretty easily with modern finishes, and you will get the added bonus of having better protection for the wood. You can use one finish and get several different looks, just by manipulating the application and post finish treatments. Just pick one and have at it. Find a few original post war Winchester stocks (pre war stocks had a different finish and application) at gunshops or gunshows and take a close look at the finish. Pay attention to the sheen, amount of finish in the pores, color, etc, because that is what you will want to duplicate. One thing I have noticed, is post war stocks usually weren't stained as red as pre war ones. When you start finishing, there will be a learning curve, and you may need to remove it and start over a couple times, before you get the proper look. Don't give up, and be sure to write down all the steps, so that when you do get the right post war look, you can duplicate it in the future on other guns.

[salpal48]

I still Use Lin-speed. Old time Finish Easy simple and has the Oil feel I like. a little Goes a long way

[M-Tecs]

The OP asked about the finish on a pre 64 not a post. The reddish stain on the pre 64's is difficult to match thus the specific products to match the old Winchester colors.

[rondog]

I'm partial to 50/50 BLO and turpentine myself. Can't attest to authenticity though.

[modified5]

John Kay was a master Winchester restorer and he got the color right on with his refinishing oil. You can find it on eBay where a friend of his is selling off what he had. I have yet to try it for my 94 made in 1898 because I don't have a stock for it yet. The pictures that I have seen of the firearms he restored are gorgeous. Hope this helps.

[rpludwig]

guys...appreciate all your replies & input....here's a couple of links with interesting discussion/debate on the pre-64 finish. Apparently Kay's formula is simply tinted linseed oil (proper tint being the secret).

http://www.homegunsmith.com/archive/T28449.html (http://www.homegunsmith.com/archive/T28449.html)

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=printthread&Board=1&main=13910&type=thread

[quack1]

[QUOTE=M-Tecs;3609324]The OP asked about the finish on a pre 64 not a post.
Yes, I saw that, 1947 to be exact.
All pre-64 Winchester finishes are not the same. Pre WWII and post WWII finishes are different. Look at some of each, side by side and it's very noticeable. Different applications and different look.

[WALLNUTT]

I don't know about authentic either but I refinished an old 94 that now looks great and still old. I stripped the finish, sanded very very little, rubbed in some BLO and waxed it with JPW. I left the "character" blemishes in it.