My m95 is too shiny

[desporterizer]

I have just purchased a budapest marked m95. It looks like it started life off as a long rifle & was cut down to carbine size & is still in 8x50r. The stock has been stamped with RZK which means it been to a yugo arsenal ( I think). Its covered in what looks like varnish. Was this applied at the arsenal or later to make it look more like furniture(aka bubba)? I would hate to go through the trouble of stripping it only to find out its supposed to look that way. BTW milsurp 8x50r does not kick all that much less than 8x56r, the recoil is still substantial.

 

[diopter]

Recoil on rifles left in the long configuration in 8x56r are very pleasant to shoot.
Somewhat like a M1891/30 MN compared to a M44 Carbine version.

http://news.webshots.com/slideshow/58235487WHaNMw;jsessionid=abcTuFNkl82C07rebvAU r

Linseed oil

 

[Pblatzz]

 

[Claven2]

In Austrian service, it would not have been varnished. Yugo M95M's are oiled as well.

 

[skirsons]

Did ANY military rifle originally come varnished?

 

[RobSmith]

Did ANY military rifle originally come varnished?

MY Russian 91/30 is varnished ... Well the stock anyway.

 

[diopter]

Did ANY military rifle originally come varnished?

Depends on whether you consider Shellac a varnish.
Beech stocked K31s from 1944/45 onwards with shellac. Walnut stocks were oiled.

 

[desporterizer]

I have seen many countries use some kind of shellac stye finish. My as new jc was shellaced & its not the first one I have seen. Pics will be forthcoming.

 

[Claven2]

shellac, yes. Varnish, no.

 

[desporterizer]

Just a little update. I tried rubbing some alcohol on the goop & it melted, so I guess its shellac. that being the case i think I will leave it for now just in case it turns out to be armory applied.

 

[sunray]

"...guess its shellac..." Likely, but alcohol dissolves lots of finishes. Polyurethane, for example.