Glue adhesive used on MODEL 39 forends

[Jeff22]

I was wondering if any has replaced the forends on a m39 and how was the glue softened in order to replace with new forend.

[Darryl]

I was wondering if any has replaced the forends on a m39 and how was the glue softened in order to replace with new forend.

First quest would be, ...
Why was the forestock being replaced?
I know of no way of "softening the glue to do that and matching a new forestock to it would be almost impossible.

but, like I tell everyone, I don't know everything!

Darryl

[Jeff22]

It’s cracked

[Darryl]

Photos.

[Jeff22]

This is a stock I bought that I was going to try to salvage and make a rifle with. I like challenging things .

[Junk Yard Dog]

If the forend still exists I would use clamps and Elmer's wood glue to reattach it.

[Jeff22]

What is like to do is find good pieces but I’d need to dissolve the glue first to take good parts off bad parts and reattach good parts . Any idea on UNgluing m39 forend boxed in connections ?

[Junk Yard Dog]

No.

[Darryl]

Even if you could Un-glue it, what will you replace it with. All those front fore stocks are all different. Length and also the jointing. You will never find a perfect match.

If your Father was a master carpenter, and your mother was a termite, you might stand a chance!

Darryl

[Jeff22]

Thanks for all the help

[willyj73]

I honestly don't know how you could replace the forend....but, I'm not a woodworker.

You would just need to discover the type of glue used, and proceed from there. I have no idea as to glue technology in the 1930s-40s.

You can find wood for the forend. It would probably be expensive. Then, you would need to use the same type of wood sealant used in Finland...or, you'd need to test combinations of dyes and wood sealant in order to approximate a match for the rear half of the stock. Seems like a lot of work.

As an alternative idea, you could keep that section of the stock to use as a replacement piece for a stock that is damaged in the rear half (ex. cracked at the wrist). Or, sell it to somebody who has a cracked stock.

[Jeff22]

Yeah thanks for the advice,
I’ve got this stock that somehow came unglued maybe by force as it did not separate well. Just going some on here may know. I might try soaking this end in water to see if any glue softens.

[Darryl]

Careful not to raise the grain" of the stock in water. Yeah, still another problem.

I'm like JYD, I'm no finish carpenter either.

This is a "new type" of rescue to us here. Let us know how it goes.

Darryl

[SA1911a1]

Careful not to raise the grain" of the stock in water. Yeah, still another problem.

I'm like JYD, I'm no finish carpenter either.

This is a "new type" of rescue to us here. Let us know how it goes.

Darryl

That job might finish a finish carpenter. The glue that the stocks were joined with is some good stuff. Waterproof, meant to continue to hold with the normal expansion and contraction of the wood, unaffected by temperature changes or UV light. I have yet to see any of it let go. It would be like trying to disassemble good 8 ply plywood without damaging the wood. I am betting on a nitrocellulose glue, but it is a guess. Although Resorcinol glue wasn't invented until '43, it may be something similar.

I wish the OP all the luck in the world and hope that he can post back with a completed project.

[ffuries]

Careful not to raise the grain" of the stock in water. Yeah, still another problem.

I'm like JYD, I'm no finish carpenter either.

This is a "new type" of rescue to us here. Let us know how it goes.

Darryl

That job might finish a finish carpenter. The glue that the stocks were joined with is some good stuff. Waterproof, meant to continue to hold with the normal expansion and contraction of the wood, unaffected by temperature changes or UV light. I have yet to see any of it let go. It would be like trying to disassemble good 8 ply plywood without damaging the wood. I am betting on a nitrocellulose glue, but it is a guess. Although Resorcinol glue wasn't invented until '43, it may be something similar.

I wish the OP all the luck in the world and hope that he can post back with a completed project.

Agree 100%, although I did see pictures on some gun forum that showed one what actually came apart. Talk about some craftsmanship on the joints.......

[ffuries]

Careful not to raise the grain" of the stock in water. Yeah, still another problem.

I'm like JYD, I'm no finish carpenter either.

This is a "new type" of rescue to us here. Let us know how it goes.

Darryl

That job might finish a finish carpenter. The glue that the stocks were joined with is some good stuff. Waterproof, meant to continue to hold with the normal expansion and contraction of the wood, unaffected by temperature changes or UV light. I have yet to see any of it let go. It would be like trying to disassemble good 8 ply plywood without damaging the wood. I am betting on a nitrocellulose glue, but it is a guess. Although Resorcinol glue wasn't invented until '43, it may be something similar.

I wish the OP all the luck in the world and hope that he can post back with a completed project.

Knew I wasn't losing my mind. Pahtu a member here and on other gun forums posted pictures of his 1944 VKT M39. He tripped and fell while carrying it and this was the result.

[Darryl]

Well, everything get old and falls apart sooner or later!

Darryl