m91 stock restoration

[stonewallskullworks]

I have a 1926 tikka m91 that has a clear coat on the stock, it looks like it might have been a sprayed on clear lacquer as there are some runs. I was thinking of trying to remove the clear with some lacquer thinner and then treating it with linseed oil/pine tar to look more like the original stock.

Has anyone done this before or should I just leave it as it is

[steelbuttplate]

There is a brand of oil, I can't think of it, that others have used. Somebody will come up with it. Don't do any sanding.

[sheepdog]

I have a 1926 tikka m91 that has a clear coat on the stock, it looks like it might have been a sprayed on clear lacquer as there are some runs. I was thinking of trying to remove the clear with some lacquer thinner and then treating it with linseed oil/pine tar to look more like the original stock.

Has anyone done this before or should I just leave it as it is

If you go that route make sure you wipe it down with regular mineral spirits to neutralize any left over residue. The mineral spirits will also let you know if you have gotten all of the lacquer off, see if it soaks in a little. Like Steelbuttplate said, no abrasives. Any oil will only work if all of the previous finish is removed.

[Darryl]

The problem is, once someone puts that "clear" finish on, it can never be put back like it was before.
The damage is done.
You can get it close but, .....it will always be "altered".
It is not possible to remove the clear" without also doing a "bit" of damage to the original finish.

I'm not telling you to not try. It is your rifle and you can do as you like but, putting it back "EXACTLY" as original is not really a reasonable goal.
Reaching something that is closer and "better" might be a reasonable goal.

All of it becomes the rifles "history".

Don't ask me what I would do. I don't know because I don't have it in my hands and it is not my rifle. It is yours and your decision.
OK to ask how.

To back it up, you need to find out exactly what the last finish is. Then find out what will remove it without damaging as little as possible the original finish.
If it is lacquer then I,m not sure mineral spirits will touch it. You may need something stronger like lacquer thinner. BUT, try it on a SMall section of the stock rather then doing the entire stock. Maybe under the but plate, or in the barrel channel.
I'd try mineral spirits first. It may not be Lacquer, it but maybe Polyurethane. That might come off with mineral spirits.

Go "slow" and "small".

Also, remember, if it is a Finn rifle (SA), then it is possible that the finish has linseed oil or Tung oil. Can't remember which now. But if those are applied heavy enough, they will look almost clear to someone who doesn't know the differences.

Darryl

[stonewallskullworks]

I understand that nothing will make it original again, I just thought I might be able to make it look more like original without causing more damage.

[millman]

I'd leave it. The odds of getting it better than that aren't good.

[qz2026]

Doesn't look like it has been sprayed but you know better than I. I've seen much worse. I have had success cutting shiny lacquer down with steel wool. This doesn't remove the finish. It only dulls the shine. You could use a scraper to remove that finish and it wouldn't remove any of the original color. I suppose from what I am seeing that I'd leave well enough alone.

[stonewallskullworks]

Thanks for the advice, it is not crazy shiny but when it is next to 1927 stepped barrel you can really notice the unstepped rifle stock is shinier

[sheepdog]

Truthfully, I'd leave it as is.

[steelbuttplate]

Doesn't look like it has been sprayed but you know better than I. I've seen much worse. I have had success cutting shiny lacquer down with steel wool. This doesn't remove the finish. It only dulls the shine. You could use a scraper to remove that finish and it wouldn't remove any of the original color. I suppose from what I am seeing that I'd leave well enough alone.

Now that I see pics I would also use 00 steel wool, dull that shine a little and leave it be.

[Darryl]

Don't do anything to it. Especially abrasive.
IF it is from Finland (which is doesn't like like it is), then it looks exactly like my M24 that was refinished after the war with what looks like Linseed oil (multiple layers). This is what they used post war a lot. Not Finn marked.

If it is not Finland, then it is probably Spanish civil war and refinished? or Balkins?

Leave it like it is. Looks OK to me as is. But,.....that is just my opinion. There are others.

Darryl

[stonewallskullworks]

Thanks, it is finnish. It is a 1926 tikka barreled m91 non stepped, it is pictured with a 1927 tikka stepped barrel

[qz2026]

Now that I see the shole gun, I really think it looks fine... I wouldn't do anything to it.

[JoeR]

I vote leave it as well. Your mileage may vary.

[Darryl]

How in the Hell did I miss the Tikka barrel?
Of coarse it is a Finn rifle! Duh!

I can show you that finish on two other Finn M24's I own.
It was (probably) "Arsenal-ed" by the Finn's after the war.

Darryl

[Mangrove]

I have a 1926 tikka m91 that has a clear coat on the stock, it looks like it might have been a sprayed on clear lacquer as there are some runs. I was thinking of trying to remove the clear with some lacquer thinner and then treating it with linseed oil/pine tar to look more like the original stock.

The original finish for some (not all) Finnish Defence Forces and Civil Guard rifles during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s was various types of varnishes and buffing wheel. Dull and shiny finishes were sometimes even used simultaneously at the depots.

[ssg_lord]

I have a 1926 tikka m91 that has a clear coat on the stock, it looks like it might have been a sprayed on clear lacquer as there are some runs. I was thinking of trying to remove the clear with some lacquer thinner and then treating it with linseed oil/pine tar to look more like the original stock.

The original finish for some (not all) Finnish Defence Forces and Civil Guard rifles during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s was various types of varnishes and buffing wheel. Dull and shiny finishes were sometimes even used simultaneously at the depots.

OP, I would weigh what Mangrove says careful. He knows what he speaks of. On a related note, I have a 1927 stepped barrel Tikka with a nearly identical stock finish on it. I was told by a prominent Finnish collector from Finland that it was a Finnish Army wood finish used shortly after WW2 on rifles being refurbished.

[stonewallskullworks]

Thanks guys, I will leave it as it is

[bunkysdad]

That sounds like a wise decision. I too think it looks like it was put there during its time in the Finnish arsenals