A Couple More Garand Questions

[mmattockx]

Yes, I searched, but that is hit or miss as most of us know...

1) Where do I find out info about my serial # and date of manufacture/history, etc.? I am sure I have seen a link posted in the past, but I can't find it now.

2a) It has a synthetic stock on it right now and a wood stock set to replace it with. The stock has been refinished with what looks like a laquer type of finish (definitely not oil), but the handguards look original with an oil finish. Can I use furniture stripper to clean all the pieces to bare wood before refinishing with oil?

2b) After stripping, just a rubdown with fine steel wool, then finish with oil or should I sand as well?

3) Does anybody have a quick tutorial on raising dents with water and heat, or a link to some pics or other info?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[sunray]

You can get the year of manufacture by maker, but nothing else, here. The barrel's date will be stamped on it.
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/milmods.htm
"...raising dents with water and heat..." Regular clothes iron set on 'cotton', use a towel or wash cloth wet, but not dripping. Put cloth on dent, apply iron until the cloth dries. Usually about 30 seconds or so. Repeat if required. Keep the cloth and iron away from any cartouches. Steaming will not fix any dents with cut/broken wood fibres other than raise the dent.
2B. Wood is wood. Use the same products and techniques used on fine furniture. Sanding may or may not be necessary. Avoid it if you can. Dampen the stock and use fine steel wool to take off any light hair-like wood fibres.
The oil you use matters. BLO(Boiled Linseed Oil) gives a flat finish. Pure Tung oil, when properly rubbed in, gives a hard, waterproof, shiney finish. Tung oil takes longer.