Also, I know nothing of wood working.
<-- Facts -->
I just bought a 1928 Russian M91-30 Dragoon with a hex receiver from the Izhevsk arsenal.
It came with a four-bladed bayonet.
It has an import stamp.
I purchased this from an individual.
He only had the bayonet no other accessories like the sling, ammo pouch, cleaning kit, etc.
I bought it mainly because I had never seen one with a *natural wood* stock, the price seemed OK ($250.00).
I know these rifles were packed in protective cosmoline and I know from others what a chore it is to clear it all out.
The seller told me he had cleaned it up, it looked pretty clean and it did not feel sticky.
<-- Problem -->
Now that I've started to handle it more, the stock leaves my hands with a sticky feeling.
<-- Attempted correction -->
I disassembled the rifle, laid the stock out in the sun (I live in Atlanta, 97 degrees!) for a couple of hours, then wiped it down.
Nothing much on the rags.
I then took it into the house and repeatedly wiped the stock with mineral spirits dampened paper towels.
When I started, the towels would come away with a brown-yellow color, eventually going to a soft yellow.
When I finished (hours later), they were clear.
I let the whole stock dry for a day.
<-- Result -->
The stock still leaves my hands with a sticky feeling.
<-- Additional Observations -->
I mentioned earlier that this stock is almost a natural wood finish. From a distance, you can make out the individual grains.
I have never seen one before with this kind of finish.
Could it be that the previous owner stripped the original finish and did something that is making the stock feel sticky?
Thanks,
Richard
In the past 
