Refinishing a Musket Stock

[Archie R. Lib]

Gents:

I have an 1855 Springfield Type II reproduction which I use for my early war Southwestern impression. For a reproduction musket, I am very pleased with it's overall appearance and relative lack of modern markings. It is also a very fine live shooter.

With that said, I am a little disappointed in the stock appearance. I have researched the Type I and Type II (patchbox and leaf sight) '55, and the stock I've seen appears to be much darker and "oily" than the lighter Italian wood on this repro. I would like to bring the appearance as close as possible to American black walnut, but do not have the necessary resources (e.g. $$$$$) to purchase a replacement stock.

Does anyone have any suggestions on guidance on the process of stripping and refinishing the stock to get it closer to the deeper American walnut used during manufacture at Springfield and/or Harper's Ferry? I am a novice woodworker at best, but would appreciate any suggestions.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rich Libicer
1st NMVI Co. A
"Kit Carson's Own"

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Refinishing a Musket Stock

Hallo!

Please don't forget the wonders of the SEARCH feature where we archive many things, such as:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?4498-12-Step-“De-farbing”-Stock-Program&highlight=stock+refinishing

Curt

[Blair]

Re: Refinishing a Musket Stock

Rich,

Woods used in the original gun making in the U S can vary greatly in their colorization (s).
Perhaps, you can tell us what you perceive as the proper color of an original stock?
Just a suggestion on my part, don't worry so much about the color, as getting the stock toward/closer to the correct demotions of the originals.

I can give you instructions on "striping" the finish from various repro's. Please e-mail me for such info.
I can tell you there is no need for such "striping", if you are not willing and able/capable of finishing the other over sized "wood" issues of the repro stocks.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: Refinishing a Musket Stock

Blair - thanks for your post and any assistance, I sent an e-mail to you as you requested.

Curt - thanks for the info. (As I sheepishly sneak out of this thread......)

Rich Libicer
1st NM Vols
"Kit Carson's Own"

[Blair]

Re: Refinishing a Musket Stock

Rick,

No need to "sneak out". Sheepishly or otherwise. This is a "good" question!

Re finishing a repro stock is more involved than simply striping the finish off whichever firearm you may have.
These repro finishes are usually pretty durable. More durable than the plain boiled linseed oil finish most people apply after the initial striping is completed.
It usually requires quite a bit of wood working skill, shaping and contouring after the basic striping is done, to get the repro stock right. Some are a great deal more involved than others. It depends on the model/pattern type.
I would suggest, if you don't have this knowledge and/or skill, along with the tools to do the work... don't bother with the basic striping of the stock!
Just my opinion,