Stock coloration

[Jbenkert90]

I’ve been wondering what would make the difference in stock colorations. Something that was put on for protection such as stain or oils. Most rifles leaving the factory would have been similar in coloration right? My byf 43 is very dark colored so I would have to guess something was put on the stock after production. I doubt it left the factory that dark?

 

[DukeIronHand]

I’ve been wondering what would make the difference in stock colorations. Something that was put on for protection such as stain or oils. Most rifles leaving the factory would have been similar in coloration right? My byf 43 is very dark colored so I would have to guess something was put on the stock after production. I doubt it left the factory that dark?

Not to my limited knowledge. It should leave the factory (when new) fairly light colored after having something called “linseed oil varnish” put on it. Keeping in mind all the wartime variables.
With that said even straight linseed will reportedly oxidize with the years (and get darker) plus there certainly could be a layer of crud and dirt. With all that it’s been 75 years and numerous(?) owners so something certainly could have been done post-war to make it dark/darker.

 

[swjXE]

Not to my limited knowledge. It should leave the factory (when new) fairly light colored after having something called “linseed oil varnish” put on it. Keeping in mind all the wartime variables.
With that said even straight linseed will reportedly oxidize with the years (and get darker) plus there certainly could be a layer of crud and dirt. With all that it’s been 75 years and numerous(?) owners so something certainly could have been done post-war to make it dark/darker.

I agree with Duke, I too believe that the late K's were, in most cases issued in the white, however, just like their helmets they were, if possible, in the Spring/Summer, stained brown or red/brown and in the Winter left unstained or even painted with white camo whitewash, if this would contribute to keeping the rifleman from becoming an easily acquired target in combat. Contrary to popular belief the Germans were not idiots and would have taken full advantage of any opportunity to apply camo to any or all of their equipment if given the chance. Best to leave your stock alone until you're certain that you're not screwing up an original stock.

 

[heavy_mech]

You'll find a wide variety of both stock 'finishes' and colors. A quick look through the pic stickies will show that early stocks from nearly all manutactures show a very high quality of both sanding and finish. Very nearly commercial quality in many cases. As the war goes on both the quality of the wood, wood finishing and applied finishes degrades until we get to KM models where the chatter (love) is super evident and the finish in some cases is literally non existant. Take that for what it's worth and have a look for yourself.

 

[DukeIronHand]

A bit further I read somewhere (maybe here?) that stocks were often “re-oiled” in the field when needed and the Germans used whatever they could get their hands on when they couldn’t get linseed - even old motor oil. Plenty of good reasons for the stock to be “historically dark.”
Problem is the passage of time and lack of a paper trail on these guns. Could have just as easy been grandpa or cousin Billy Bob too breaking out the kitchen cabinet stain.
But to emphasize what swjXE says try to make sure before you do anything more dramatic then a surface wipe down.

 

[Jbenkert90]

I had looked through the pic reference but mainly at the byf43 examples and didn’t see any that looked as dark. I appreciate everyone’s input. I have no plans on altering the stock. Everything matches on it and it’s exactly the way it was when I got it and I plan on leaving it in its current form. I just got to thinking about stock coloration/staining seeing how dark it is.

 

[heavy_mech]

I know i often come off as an asshole however some of those dark stocks are the work of 'enhancers' here stateside. Mostly resellers on Gunbonker. There was a guy (somebody knows) where every stock on rifles he sold looked like they were wiped with used motor oil. And I mean EVERY one. One of these guys knows who I'm talking about and probably trended or cataloged them.

 

[swjXE]

I had looked through the pic reference but mainly at the byf43 examples and didn’t see any that looked as dark. I appreciate everyone’s input. I have no plans on altering the stock. Everything matches on it and it’s exactly the way it was when I got it and I plan on leaving it in its current form. I just got to thinking about stock coloration/staining seeing how dark it is.

J,
Please realize that many of the rifles in the Pic. Ref. Index are only there because of their unusually minty condition. Arms that were continually on the front line did not normally end up in such "Minty" condition, especially the stocks.

 

[Jbenkert90]

I know i often come off as an asshole however some of those dark stocks are the work of 'enhancers' here stateside. Mostly resellers on Gunbonker. There was a guy (somebody knows) where every stock on rifles he sold looked like they were wiped with used motor oil. And I mean EVERY one. One of these guys knows who I'm talking about and probably trended or cataloged them.

I actually purchased it from a member here and he told me he left it the way it was when he got it and I have down the same. I’m not concerned about it enough to try and lighten it up or anything like that. Just curious as to what may cause all the different colorings out there. Could be any number of things over all these years. I’m happy with the rifle. It’s definitely been around the block a couple times.

 

[heavy_mech]

I will caution this on the outside finish and do it anecotally. I got called out once by a CSM (who I'm certian never left Camp Victory) about why my rifle was 'filthy'.... Whack whack whack.. And I said "it doesn't matter what the outside looks liike; it only matters that it works". And that was the end of that conversation. My point here is I would think German Soldiers on the front lines had other thngs on their minds besides what the exterior of their stocs looked like. People love to make up stories about some 'why' but generally I don't buy it.

Anybody remember the ''Baltic Sea Wars'?? And why they dipped their bolts in antifreeze? Exactly

 

[Jbenkert90]

J,
Please realize that many of the rifles in the Pic. Ref. Index are only there because of their unusually minty condition. Arms that were continually on the front line did not normally end up in such "Minty" condition, especially the stocks.

Oh I wasn’t comparing rifle conditions but rather looking at coloration. I know mine does not fall in the mint category lol. It’s been used and abused but as my only example of all matching it looks good enough for me.

 

[heavy_mech]

I actually purchased it from a member here and he told me he left it the way it was when he got it and I have down the same. I’m not concerned about it enough to try and lighten it up or anything like that. Just curious as to what may cause all the different colorings out there. Could be any number of things over all these years. I’m happy with the rifle. It’s definitely been around the block a couple times.

Yeah well without looking at the specific example there's lot's of theories. I'm not genius but it could have come that way. A Soldat could have rubbed something on it (although I personally think this is WAY oversold by hucksters) or it could have been done post. Sometimes it's really obvious... other times it's not. I personally think you're riight not to f with it but that's just me. Lot's of guys here (not me) remember the bleach blonde era .

 

[heavy_mech]

Oh I wasn’t comparing rifle conditions but rather looking at coloration. I know mine does not fall in the mint category lol. It’s been used and abused but as my only example of all matching it looks good enough for me.

Cool. I like it. I don't think any of us are trying to ratf*ck anyone or their rifles but there is something to be said from an integrity standpoint in trying to decicper what is right, wrong or fraudulent. I'm casting no aspersions but rather trying to be honest in my opinions. There are always plenty of cats on Gunbonker to throw my aspersions at.

Again I think if anyone gets way off course on what they're spouting as doctrime someone here with power will reel that shite back in.