Enfield stock finish
- Thread starter Tinmasher
- Start date
The original finish is Linseed oil. Most LE collectors use Boiled Linseed oil. Mix a 50/50 Turpentine-Linseed oil mixture, use it to clean the furniture with some 0000 steel/brass wool. Wipe it dry and let it dry for 24hrs, then a cost of straight BLO. Let the BLO soak in for 20-30 minutes then wipe dry and then dry for 24hrs, repeat as until you achieve the desired finish.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I had some NOS fore-ends and handguards. Made a "soaking tube" by gluing cap onto one end of 4" ABS pipe - placed all the wood inside - filled to top with 50/50 Raw Linseed Oil / Turpentine. Put cover on tube - left them for a week or so. Removed and wiped off - a couple years later, they look excellent! Butt stock would not fit into tube, so they went in a plastic tub - same idea - soaked in 50/50 RLO/turpentine for about a week. The actual "finish" I believe, is a couple years of oxygen in the air working at the linseed oil in the wood - not easily reproduced in an afternoon... If you have used wood, somehow going to want to first remove the various oils, greases, dirt and sweat that will be soaked into the wood.
The original recipe was Raw Linseed Oil, warmed and dipped. I've only seen this mentioned in the 1955 Infantry Training manual on the No.4, but they talk about regular maintenance:
The more modern recipe, is using Boiled Linseed Oil - which is linseed oil with dryers. Some people like to cut it with mineral spirits or turpentine for quicker absorption/drying.
The easiest way to apply is pour a small amount into the palm of your hand, and rub the oil into the stock thoroughly. If it's a nice sunny day, leave the oiled wood in the sun for a half hour or so (check the package for any guidance), and then wipe off any excess oil - and leave to fully dry. On a sunny day, it'll dry quickly, and you may even be able to get in multiple coats. On less pleasant days, drying indoors will be required and does take longer - you can accelerate it somewhat by keeping the woodwork in a warm place and using a fan. Take your time, don't slather on a ton of oil and expect it to dry without wiping off the excess, make sure each coat is dry before applying another. And, if you use any rags - you need to take appropriate precautions around self-ignition.
The more modern recipe, is using Boiled Linseed Oil - which is linseed oil with dryers. Some people like to cut it with mineral spirits or turpentine for quicker absorption/drying.
The easiest way to apply is pour a small amount into the palm of your hand, and rub the oil into the stock thoroughly. If it's a nice sunny day, leave the oiled wood in the sun for a half hour or so (check the package for any guidance), and then wipe off any excess oil - and leave to fully dry. On a sunny day, it'll dry quickly, and you may even be able to get in multiple coats. On less pleasant days, drying indoors will be required and does take longer - you can accelerate it somewhat by keeping the woodwork in a warm place and using a fan. Take your time, don't slather on a ton of oil and expect it to dry without wiping off the excess, make sure each coat is dry before applying another. And, if you use any rags - you need to take appropriate precautions around self-ignition.
