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Re: Linseed Oil Stocks/ Defarbing Stocks
I used raw linseed oil with some turpentine at a 50/50 ratio. Pretty slow dry time. I rubbed at least four solid coats into the stock over that many months. That was a year ago. Now I just dip a rag once or twice into my 50/50 mix and rub that small amount into the stock. (The rag is then placed in a plastic bag, tied, and placed into the garbage. I don't want my shed turning to flames from a spontaneous combustion of drying linseed oil rags.)
At an event last weekend, I cleaned my musket with some fresh fish who were using chemicals gallore. I needed to take care of something away from the fresh fish and layed down my dirty musket next to their clean muskets. The fresh fish complemented my musket and stock for it's ultra cleanliness. I told the kid it was actually dirty. I hadn't cleaned it since I did a solid field cleaning atop Lookout Mountain last November. (This was my first firing event since then.) In lubricating the lock, stock and barrel at events, I typically use hog fat or olive oil.
You can really tell the difference in the sun light between the linseed oiled stocks verses that brand new, modern finish.
Take your time removing the finish from your musket. You'll likely have to strip it several times before you remove all the varnish. Also, take your time applying the linseed oil. Stock refinishing isn't something one does the weekend before an event. It's a long term, boring project which yields substantial results when done properly.
I used raw linseed oil with some turpentine at a 50/50 ratio. Pretty slow dry time. I rubbed at least four solid coats into the stock over that many months. That was a year ago. Now I just dip a rag once or twice into my 50/50 mix and rub that small amount into the stock. (The rag is then placed in a plastic bag, tied, and placed into the garbage. I don't want my shed turning to flames from a spontaneous combustion of drying linseed oil rags.)
At an event last weekend, I cleaned my musket with some fresh fish who were using chemicals gallore. I needed to take care of something away from the fresh fish and layed down my dirty musket next to their clean muskets. The fresh fish complemented my musket and stock for it's ultra cleanliness. I told the kid it was actually dirty. I hadn't cleaned it since I did a solid field cleaning atop Lookout Mountain last November. (This was my first firing event since then.) In lubricating the lock, stock and barrel at events, I typically use hog fat or olive oil.
You can really tell the difference in the sun light between the linseed oiled stocks verses that brand new, modern finish.
Take your time removing the finish from your musket. You'll likely have to strip it several times before you remove all the varnish. Also, take your time applying the linseed oil. Stock refinishing isn't something one does the weekend before an event. It's a long term, boring project which yields substantial results when done properly.
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