Enfield furniture

[alaus24]

I purchased a set of un issued furniture to put my no4 mk1/2 back to military spec. What finish was used on the originals? I've seen some that are light and some that are almost black.

 

[tiriaq]

Linseed oil. Walnut stocks will usually be darker than birch or beech, depending on the wood. Black walnut from North America is often darker than European walnut.
Savages often seem to have a reddish hue; maybe some sort of die or pigment was used.

 

[enefgee]

The proper schedule is to apply as follows - once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month for a year. This would be for new wood.

 

[flying pig]

Then once a year for life. Initially they dipped then in a vat of very warm raw linseed oil for a while.