Winchester 94 Advice

C

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The Winchester in the pictures was purchased by my great grandfather in 1954 (the only new firearm he ever owned). Both he and my grandfather hunted with it extensively and the rifle has the marks to show it. My grandfather, now in his late 80s, is no longer able to hunt and has passed this rifle on to me.

I want to hunt with it this fall but I am concerned about moisture damaging the wood as much of the finish is worn off. Does anyone have any suggestions on how the best way to protect the stock? I had thought about refinishing it but I would like to keep it original and hunt with it just as my great grandfather and grandfather did. Preserving it by leaving it in the safe doesn't seem like the right thing to do.

Any suggestions on a product for the stock would be appreciated.

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I would not touch the stock. I would just go hunting with it.
It looks to me like very little moisture would seep into that stock. If you get it wet, wipe it dry when you get back, then stand it up in an airy place to dry. After it is dry, wipe the metal with a cloth that has a bit of oil on it, and run an oiled patch through the bore.
You don't want to change the appearance of the stock, but to help preserve it, you could give it a light rub with lemon oil, the type designed for touching up furniture.
Just bear in mind that some of those old Winchester stocks have been used for a hundred years, have little, or no, sign of finish left, yet the stock will be in generally good condition.
 
Would you be offended that a great grandson sanded down and refinished a rifle of yours, making it look fresh and new? Or would you just be happy that someone appreciates it and is using it?

It will be fine with the scratches if you don't want to refinish it, but I'd clean it up personally. I've got my grandfathers 30-30 and I've bastard-ized it with a stainless lever and barrel bands I made, and some custom leather, but I'm keeping the old parts to hand off to the next generation, and Its more fun to take out now that I've personalized it a bit.

I've become a big fan of tru oil lately. It takes quit a few coats, but it brings out the grain wonderfully, it also needs a long time to cure, many need some time to harden up, so you may want to get on it if you plan on using it this season.
 
cody c said:
Would you be offende that a great grandson sanded down and refinished a rifle of yours, making it look fresh and new? Or would you just be happy that someone appreciates it and is using it?

It will be fine with the scratches if you don't want to refinish it, but I'd clean it up personally. I've got my grandfathers 30-30 and I've bastard-ized it with a stainless lever and barrel bands I made, and some custom leather, but I'm keeping the old parts to hand off to the next generation, and Its more fun to take out now that I've personalized it a bit.
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I think anyone would appreciate knowing that their rifle was being used by future generations; either original or restored. It's a great connection with the past.
 
Don't go bust'in the karma.

Beechwood Casey makes a gun wax.

G96 it would be my way.

Treat it the way your grampa did otherwise you'll mess it's thought level up.
Just keep her well oiled.
 
Oiling a worn stock just seems like basic maintenance too me. No threat to future generations, unless they prefer things not maintained?
 
Don't use Motor oil

I use old Johnson's floor wax. rub it on, let sit, rub it on, let sit, repeat as needed, it will shed rain like a ducks feathers. It won't hurt the metal either. just rub it off with a soft cloth. It works really good on Oil finished walnut! Jim. Don't use motor oil, or any oil that comes from below the ground, they make the wood go black...Use linseed, tung, etc they are all good. Jim
 
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I tried Old English Lemon oil (all I could find) and it seems to have worked great. But I will look for some of these other products next time I get to the city.
 
On the internet there is a formula for a beeswax finish. DON"T DO IT! Sticky for a very, very long time. Years in fact. I did a Lee Enfield that way.

The temptation to refinish is hard to beat, but, you will regret it, if it's a family piece. Go with the wax. I have tried paste floor wax, and it was fine.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
On the internet there is a formula for a beeswax finish. DON"T DO IT! Sticky for a very, very long time. Years in fact. I did a Lee Enfield that way.

The temptation to refinish is hard to beat, but, you will regret it, if it's a family piece. Go with the wax. I have tried paste floor wax, and it was fine.
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Is that the 1/3 linseed oil, 1/3 turpentine, 1/3 beeswax finish? I used that on a sporterized stock once; after i had each coat on the wood, i rubbed it hard with some coffee filter backed by a sanding block till it squeeked; it looks kick-azz. A nice matte finish and filled the pores too. Not sticky at all for me, but i used partially polymerized oil from Lee Valley; maybe regular linseed oil makes it not work so good.


I have the same rifle, same year as the OP, not a sign of finish on it...its very tempting to rub some BLO into the wood...its got no bluing left on the receiver either. Grandpa shot lots of bucks.
 
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