I am not as hard core a collector of Mosins as most of you, but a few years back I had the opportunity to pick up a pair. One was a sporterized rifle (not cut down) and the other, an intact Imperial Tula 1897. I have hunted deer with the modded gun and left the traditionally configured rifle in the safe. It has the hex receiver, matching barrel shank and bolt numbers, two SA stamps, no import marks, the Konovalov sights w/arshin markings on the left side and Finnish/metric on the right, sling swivels but no sling, no bayonet, counter bored, decent rifling, barleycorn front sight, late M91 type 4 barrel bands, and rounded Finn finger jointing on fore stock.
What I have noticed in other Mosins is a sheen on the stock. Almost all have a shellac or varnish type appearance to me. My wood looks stained but not sealed w/ any protective coating. The best way I can describe it is a flat finish w/a raw wood feel to it. Is this original or most likely because a previous owner stripped the original finish and just stained it?
I appreciate the information found here and hope someone can shed some light on this for me.
Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
Looks like a fairly typical Finnish made replacement stock for a M91. Some late war or post war Finnish stocks do have a rather dry feel to them, but they actually do have a finish in the wood. You see these mostly on M91's and M39's. I'd leave it as it is.
Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
I'll do that. Your advice confirms the "less is more" axiom re modifying any original condition rifle. I just haven't seen many examples w/out the "sealed" look I mentioned. I'm going to sell the rifle and wanted to make it as desirable as possible. So no tweaking is the way to go. I will leave it to the buyer to do that if he wants.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
Good idea. These Finn stocks like this are spectacular
- Darryl
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Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
Don't mess with the finish!
Here is a Finn Tikka M39 in a "dry looking" stock.
Mess with this stock and this rifle would plummet $500!
Darryl
Click on images for larger view.
Here is a Finn Tikka M39 in a "dry looking" stock.
Mess with this stock and this rifle would plummet $500!
Darryl
Click on images for larger view.
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Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
I'm glad you posted that M39. Maybe the "dry" look is more common than I thought. I guess I overlooked them.
I feel better about what I have now. Until this feedback, I felt the finish was not quite right.
I feel better about what I have now. Until this feedback, I felt the finish was not quite right.
Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
It is right, I have several that look just like it. It is good that you asked. It kills the value to make these shine.
Aut Pax Aut Bellum
Re: Flat finish on '97 Tula stock
I'm glad I asked too.