K31 refinish

[sgt_hebert]

I've just buy a 1948 K31 with all matching part. as expected, the metal is in good shape with a little bit of wear on the blue, a shinny bore and beat-up wood. I was considering refinishing the stock but I'm not sure if it would be a good idea. Should I do it or not?

 

[Magellann]

Its probably best to leave it as is,most times you will ruin any historical value it may have.

 

[tacfoley]

Well the wood SHOULD be beech, but it MIGHT also be walnut found after it was supposed to have used up. Depending on the amount of damage to the stock, from the usual ding that can be raised by using a damp cloth and a regular iron [and some care] to the extensive 'beaver-chew' caused by drill whilst wearing cramppmons, you might be doing the gun a favour.

If you do, and there are plenty of movies on Youtube showing you how to do it to a K31, make sure that you avoid removing the little cantonal stamp on the rear right side of the butt, and keep the edges of the finger grooves sharp by using an oversize rigid rubbing-down pad.

This thread on swissrifles.com is one of the best there is - http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/reply/58331/K31-Beech-Stock-Refinishing-Discussion

Read it and make up your own mind.

tac

 

[sgt_hebert]

I'll probably leave it as it is. If some day a refinish it, I'll probably just buy an other stock instead and keep this one in a safe place. Thank you to both of you for the quick reply!

 

[Dake21]

Leave it as it is, it took many decades to make it look like it now. IMO it gives the rifle character.

 

[Magellann]

I'll probably leave it as it is. If some day a refinish it, I'll probably just buy an other stock instead and keep this one in a safe place. Thank you to both of you for the quick reply!

Good idea, thats exactly what I did with my SKS

 

[dannyd123]

If it's shellac refinishing is easy. Many flaking mosin, sks svt k31 and k98 rifles can easily be refinished with no more than a cloth, paintbrush and 99% isopropanol. All your doing is redistributing the existing finish and preventing it from flaking off onto the ground.

I personally love the dings and dents but the flakes aren't reflective of the history. Just a shotty shellac job and time. If your feeling particularly adventurous you can match the shellac color and buy flakes to recoat or recolor to match.