Pine Tar source

[bearhunter]

I have a book called, "The Mosin-Nagant Rifle" by Terence W. Lapin.

On Page 20, in reference to Finnish made Stocks; He states that Stocks made in, or after the late 1930's, were somewhat darker due to being stained with potassium permanganate dye.

Yeah they mentioned something similar but I couldn't remember the ingredient. Thanks for adding that, much appreciated.

It's the texture of the finish that is difficult to attain. I have an SA rebarreled, hex receiver 91/30 with a replacement stock. The texture of the finish is definitely not shiney or clear. The M28 I gave to my step son also didn't have a clear or shiny stock. I am already missing that rifle. Shot better than I could hold it.

 

[B_noser]

I have a book called, "The Mosin-Nagant Rifle" by Terence W. Lapin.

On Page 20, in reference to Finnish made Stocks; He states that Stocks made in, or after the late 1930's, were somewhat darker due to being stained with potassium permanganate dye.

Potassium permanganare is not a dye. It is built up on the surface and worked back as required - and it will wear off over time. It is frequently used as a shading agent when artificially aging stocks. I have used it several times - including on a longrifle I built about 30 years ago. I am still carrying that longrifle today and there is not a hint of that shading left on it. If it has been sealed with a varnish or similar finish, it would likey have been more durable.

I can see no advantage to using it on a stock intended for military service.

 

[Frost Cracked]

I got mine at the TSC, in the horse care section.

It's easy to use when melted. I put the whole can in a water-bath until it runs, and pour off however much I need. The rest rehardens when off the heat.

 

[Groverino]

Although Lapin mentions it in his book there seem to be a lot of people who still doubt the whole pottasium permanganate thing. I have no idea other than it used to go in my water softener.

 

[Groverino]

Yeah they mentioned something similar but I couldn't remember the ingredient. Thanks for adding that, much appreciated.

It's the texture of the finish that is difficult to attain. I have an SA rebarreled, hex receiver 91/30 with a replacement stock. The texture of the finish is definitely not shiney or clear. The M28 I gave to my step son also didn't have a clear or shiny stock. I am already missing that rifle. Shot better than I could hold it.

The only references I've been able to find regarding a varnish of sorts was used on the M28/30 Civil Guard rifle. They describe it as a lacquer.

 

[dimeN]

I like this vid on how pine tar is made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d--rbNuzr_A

you can get the pottasium permanganate from the pharmacy (or order it in there if they don't have that oxidizer ) i've used it for staining bone handles for knives but i could see how it would bring the figure out in the wood... much like nitric will do for maple wood

 

[4307]

If the tar is heated it will melt and then once in the liquid state disolves much easier

I got mine at the TSC, in the horse care section.

It's easy to use when melted. I put the whole can in a water-bath until it runs, and pour off however much I need. The rest rehardens when off the heat.

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try that next time.

 

[jakester]

It's not really a dye but rather an oxidizer. When mixed with water it looks purple, but "stains" most anything brown. Maple tends to come out more of a reddish brown. It can also be used to stain Bone and Leather.

Potassium permanganare is not a dye. It is built up on the surface and worked back as required - and it will wear off over time. It is frequently used as a shading agent when artificially aging stocks. I have used it several times - including on a longrifle I built about 30 years ago. I am still carrying that longrifle today and there is not a hint of that shading left on it. If it has been sealed with a varnish or similar finish, it would likey have been more durable.

I can see no advantage to using it on a stock intended for military service.

 

[ALMAR]

No, I got it from the wood. And from the bark for the birch. I have a 5 gallon stock pot with a hole in the bottom, I filled it up and place the cover on it place a smaller steel jar under it (under ground) and made a fire around the stock pot, after an hour or so if I remember correctly, the stuff had accumulated in the jar, I still have some birch tar. It made over about a liter I think.

 

[4307]

Did you use the stump/root from a birch? Or just the root? I have plenty of pine tar but I'd like to have birch as well.

 

[ALMAR]

I used the bark of fallen birch trees. It required a duffle bag full to fill the 5 gallon stock pot. It needs to be packed tightly and vertically. The cover should be weighted down with a brick or rocks. Maybe it could work with the wood too, cant confirm that though.

 

[4307]

Hmm.. thanks! Looks like I'll have a new project this spring.

 

[Groverino]

It turns out there's a fair bit of controversy as to whether or not the Finns even used pine tar.

 

[hogie]

Just acquired a Tikka 91/30. I cleaned the stock with turpentine. Made a mixture of equal parts pine tar, raw linseed oil and turpentine to apply to the stock . Let soak in for 25 minutes then wipe off. So far very happy with the results. Nice matte finish.