What type of finish should I choose??

[JeffR]

I just picked up up a nice little cooey 840 in .410. Great shape except for the wood. The old varnish was flaking off badly and was in desperate need of refinishing. So, my question is, what type of finish would you use? I am thinking either stain and varnish or maybe linseed oil and turpentine. Leaning more to the linseed and turps.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Winchested]

Stain and hand rubbed BLO.

 

[looch]

For my nicer guns, I'll use an oil - BLO or tung. For the ones that have plain wood and see little field use, I use the same technique as I do with oil, but substitute with Spar Helmsman Urethane (satin). I cut it 50/50 with mineral spirits and wet sand it in, starting with 320 and finishing around 600. For the first 3 passes, after each has dried, cut it back to bare wood - seals the pores. This makes for a good-looking, maintenance-free finish.