Need Help with K98 stocks

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gaff

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I picked up a couple k98 vet bring back stocks .they were stored in a damp place for a long time, and have a mould and mildew smell.
what is the best way to get rid of the smell? sanding is out of the question. Lysol, bleach,oven cleaner ? what do you think?
 
Definitely do not use oven cleaner! It will raise the grain and make a mess of the stock!

I have washed moldy stocks in plain old mineral spirits and then given them a light coat of raw linseed oil. You could never tell anything had been done to them except they didn't smell any more. Don't use BLO. It's not the proper finish for WW2 German stocks.

The only thing with my advice is that I've never done this to laminate stocks so I don't know how this would affect the glue. I doubt it would do anything but maybe test it on a handguard or something first?
 
I should also mention that if the stocks are untouched originals with raw wood in the channels then washing them in mineral spirits will probably alter the look of the raw wood a bit. I'm not sure if that is really desirable. I guess it comes down to which is more important. Let them mold but look 100% original or kill the mold to preserve them but alter the look a bit.

the11 might have a good idea there as well. Maybe the mold can be killed naturally. Drier storage and some sunshine?
 
killing the mould and mildew smell are top priority for me . as it is raw wood its in the grain. refinishing them after this is done will not be an issue . thanks for the ideas so far. torching them might be the answer, although the charcoal smell might be worse.
 
How about a few photos so we can see what sort of situation you're dealing with?

Some nice vet bringback K98k stocks are always in demand, this definitely requires proceeding with caution but I agree that something should be done if they're rotting.

-Steve
 
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here are the pictures. worth restoring or on the barbie?
 
Well don't throw them on the barbie, that's for sure!

What have you got there? Right one looks like a dou and the left a Sauer? Waffenamts on either?

I'd definitely try do something to the mold without harming the stocks. They look pretty decent and not sanded from what I can tell.
 
I see.

The cupped one really looks dou to me. The bolt cutout and stock inletting are typical dou stuff. The two indents at the front of the mag well (compare to the straight surface on the WaA214 stock) are typically found on Czech stocks. dou were also devoid of any external markings where as a byf would have a WaA135 on it.

I could be wrong but maybe that will help with your ID.
 
they are in nice shape ,its the mildew smell ,how to kill it ?? so far I tried rubbing alcohol, which works for a week, then the smell comes back again.
 
Place the stocks in a good quality garbage bag and a bowl or open container with around half a tin of fresh coffee grounds in it and seal the bag up tight. If you can find a sunny window (tough this time of year I realize) to place it in this will help.

Leave it for a couple of days to a week and the mildew smell should be gone.
 
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