Hi folks. Have a question about the stock finish on a G98/40 I recently picked up, but being my first post, a little background info. Somewhat familiar with 98 Mauser rifles. Have a ‘MOD. 98’ that me and my dad put together with so called duffle bag parts (still have a busted off stock, couple of barrels and assorted parts) and have shot and reloaded this gun for over forty years. Gets pulled out a few times a year for CMP matches. I am much more familiar with US Milsurps (M1s, 30 Carbines, M1917s, etc). More of an accumulator/shooter type, but have a respect for history and try to preserve it as much as possible.
Ok, on to my 41 G98/40 stock finish. Purchased a one with a group of guns from an estate a while back. Metal is in good shape with original finish with all the numbers matching. NoGo gauge checks out. Rifling is strong and shiny. Missing front sight hood (could be a lifelong search for one), cleaning rod and there is no sling. The wood is clean and original, with the number in barrel channel matching the metal, although I did not see a number on the butt piece, however, I did not completely remove all the metal from it. Unfortunately, sometime in the past the stock made a visit to the house of Bubba. Looks like some heavy sanding occurred, although there are ghosts of a few of the original stock markings. After sanding it was sloppily refinished with what appears to be lacquer or varnish. Bubbly finish with runs in it. Not pretty. At least it preserved the wood which has a light reddish look. Applied a bit of 70/30 isopropyl in an inconspicuous spot under one of the barrel bands and looks like finish could easily be removed, although with possibly with something a bit stronger.
How is best to approach ‘restoring’ this stock? Want to end up with a preserved shooter (remember I am a accumulator/shooter first, not necessarily a collector), but don’t want to degrade it for the next owner. I have thought about it for a while now and the runny bumpy finish simply bugs me. Whatever I do, I do not want to cause any more damage. Thought was to carefully remove the finish with minimal or no damage to the patina that is under it. Next would be what to refinish with. Prefer real tung oil instead of linseed oil if appropriate. Tung oil is what I have used in the past for Milsurps and muzzleloader stocks that I have made, so I am comfortable with it. Not sure what would be considered a correct finish for a 1941 German contract rifle. Have attached a few photographs for reference.
Looking forward to opinions and advise.
Ok, on to my 41 G98/40 stock finish. Purchased a one with a group of guns from an estate a while back. Metal is in good shape with original finish with all the numbers matching. NoGo gauge checks out. Rifling is strong and shiny. Missing front sight hood (could be a lifelong search for one), cleaning rod and there is no sling. The wood is clean and original, with the number in barrel channel matching the metal, although I did not see a number on the butt piece, however, I did not completely remove all the metal from it. Unfortunately, sometime in the past the stock made a visit to the house of Bubba. Looks like some heavy sanding occurred, although there are ghosts of a few of the original stock markings. After sanding it was sloppily refinished with what appears to be lacquer or varnish. Bubbly finish with runs in it. Not pretty. At least it preserved the wood which has a light reddish look. Applied a bit of 70/30 isopropyl in an inconspicuous spot under one of the barrel bands and looks like finish could easily be removed, although with possibly with something a bit stronger.
How is best to approach ‘restoring’ this stock? Want to end up with a preserved shooter (remember I am a accumulator/shooter first, not necessarily a collector), but don’t want to degrade it for the next owner. I have thought about it for a while now and the runny bumpy finish simply bugs me. Whatever I do, I do not want to cause any more damage. Thought was to carefully remove the finish with minimal or no damage to the patina that is under it. Next would be what to refinish with. Prefer real tung oil instead of linseed oil if appropriate. Tung oil is what I have used in the past for Milsurps and muzzleloader stocks that I have made, so I am comfortable with it. Not sure what would be considered a correct finish for a 1941 German contract rifle. Have attached a few photographs for reference.
Looking forward to opinions and advise.