When is a rifle stock refinished?

woodlotowner

woodlotowner

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I am interested in opinions on this question. I have a nice Win 94 that is all original, except for the original (I am the second owner so I know the acurate history of the rifle) owner's coat of tung or some such finish OVER the original factory finish. Is this rifle refinished? I guess to some, perhaps most, it has been altered from factory and this should be reflected in the value, but to me a 'refinished' stock is one that has had its original finish removed (at the very least) and then perhaps sanded a little, or a great deal, to remove damaged areas from the wood. What say?
 
I tend to think that in your case the stock hasn’t been refinished but merely reprotected. Refinishing is as you described, removing the original finish and starting again at bare wood.
 
Part of the original rifle is the factory finish on the stock. You still have the factory finish, but it is covered by a top coat of tung oil. Can the tung oil be removed without damaging the factory finish ? I would suggest a very mild thinner on a soft cloth applied very sparingly to an obscure area to see if the tung oil can be removed without damaging the original finish. Others may chime in with the make up of the factory finish on an old '94..which may help you decide.
 
If I were buying said rifle on the understanding that it's in original condition, and found out later that it had been given a coat of oil or whatever, and that fact had not been disclosed, I would be very displeased. If somebody else wanted to pay top dollar knowing the finish had been "refreshed", that's up to them, but it wouldn't be me.
 
It’s an interesting question, you tend to see this alot in 1950’s model 94’s where the finish has peeled off leaving bare wood. I would personally think that the tung oil is more maintenance. I would rather give the wood some protection than leave it bare and take it out hunting.

How much would that really affect the rifle’s value if the finish was peeling in the first place? Probably not that much but it is better to disclose it to a buyer up front.
 
Short answer "yes" it has been refinished. Let me put it another way, if your buying an 1969 Mustang Shelby that is advertised and priced at being 100% all original . And the the seller states well I had it repainted the original colour. Is the car100 % original. ?? In cars terms no, and in gun terms no. You alter that gun in any way it is not original.
 
It's not like the value of a garden variety one of 7,000,000 of a model of firearm is going to change one way or the other over a re-oiling of the stock.
 
Poorly re-finished is not original. The original finish is ruined now. There is a world of difference between Tung oil { a finish} and G96 protectant.
 
I am no collector, but I was once an amateur woodworker. This reply is from a woodworker's perspective. I would say that it greatly depends on what the original finish was. Oil finishes ( real tung oil and linseed oil) can be freshened up without stripping. When properly done, it actually restores the beauty of the original finish. One caveat: a lot of products sold as Tung oil finish are actually varnish mixed with oil, which in some cases is not even real tung oil.

OTOH, if the original finish was varnish or lacquer, adding tung oil or any other finish on top without stripping is just wrong.
 
pacobillie said:
I am no collector, but I was once an amateur woodworker. This reply is from a woodworker's perspective. I would say that it greatly depends on what the original finish was. Oil finishes ( real tung oil and linseed oil) can be freshened up without stripping. When properly done, it actually restores the beauty of the original finish. One caveat: a lot of products sold as Tung oil finish are actually varnish mixed with oil, which in some cases is not even real tung oil.

OTOH, if the original finish was varnish or lacquer, adding tung oil or any other finish on top without stripping is just wrong.

I was with kammlooky UNTILL I read this . I would consider oil on oil maintainance - now I never thought of something labeled oil containing varnish .

Question - or statement - wouldn't oil on top of another finish just wipe off - so - no big deal ?
Click to expand...
 
pacobillie said:
I am no collector, but I was once an amateur woodworker. This reply is from a woodworker's perspective. I would say that it greatly depends on what the original finish was. Oil finishes ( real tung oil and linseed oil) can be freshened up without stripping. When properly done, it actually restores the beauty of the original finish. One caveat: a lot of products sold as Tung oil finish are actually varnish mixed with oil, which in some cases is not even real tung oil.

OTOH, if the original finish was varnish or lacquer, adding tung oil or any other finish on top without stripping is just wrong.
Click to expand...

This is what I meant as well but it’s worded much better.
 
Keithjohn said:
pacobillie said:
I am no collector, but I was once an amateur woodworker. This reply is from a woodworker's perspective. I would say that it greatly depends on what the original finish was. Oil finishes ( real tung oil and linseed oil) can be freshened up without stripping. When properly done, it actually restores the beauty of the original finish. One caveat: a lot of products sold as Tung oil finish are actually varnish mixed with oil, which in some cases is not even real tung oil.

OTOH, if the original finish was varnish or lacquer, adding tung oil or any other finish on top without stripping is just wrong.

I was with kammlooky UNTILL I read this . I would consider oil on oil maintainance - now I never thought of something labeled oil containing varnish .

Question - or statement - wouldn't oil on top of another finish just wipe off - so - no big deal ?
Click to expand...

Once oil meant as a wood finish reacts with oxygen, it dries and cannot be wiped off,even with solvent. Stripper is required to remove it ( and everything underneath, by the same token.
Click to expand...
 
Just strip it off and redo it with linseed it will look like new again there must have been trouble with original finish for anyone to think of doing something to it in the first place, as stated these rifles are so in abundance the fix you do will have zero bearing on price afterwards in fact it may help you get the price you want if selling as opposed to the shaudy finish now, i have stripped a few of them and re linseeded them and in my opinion have always looked nicer than before i started jmho
Cheers
 
I have a 94 from the 50s. I'm pretty sure the finish looks like varnish or laquer. Anyone definitively know what the original finish was? If it is varnish, then rubbing it with an oil would spoil any collector value. If it's oil the reoiling would be part of maintainance and no harm done.
I'd probably wash and sand OPs gun and finish with truoil. Truoil has worked out well for me on shooter grade restores.
 
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