M95 stock question, what is proper to do?

[Steppenwolf]

What is proper to do? I just received a Steyr Mannlicher M95 long rifle. I am impressed with the manufacturing of the rifle, Steyr really knows how to make a quality firearm. I would like imput on what to do with the stock. It is dented and dirty. Should I strip the remnants of the finish that is there and also remove the dirt? Should I just leave it the way it is? Would I destroy part of the rifle's history by cleaning and refinishing the stock? I won't sand or steel wool the stock. What was the original finish? I was thinking of BLO.

 

[Quiet]

You could steam out the dents. The results usually look nice on dark walnut but won't improve much on lighter coloured woods because the dents are inevitably dark and oil soaked. If you haven't done it before, it involves taking a patch of cotton, soaking it in water and laying it over the dent. Heat a big spoon on the stove and use it like a mini steam iron to swell out the dented wood. It will do nothing to fix the gouges or scratches. It is hard to tell what kind of finish you have on that from the picture. If you have an oil finish, you just need to rub more oil on it afterwards.

I used to have a Steyr that came straight out of surplus when Lebarons had piles of them to choose from. It came finished with some kind of laquer or varnish, not with oil.

 

[RobSmith]

I say leave it as is, enjoy it, and wonder where the dents came from ...