Springfield M2 stock finish?

[Lancebear]

Guys,

I assume that the original finish on Springfield M2 rifle stocks was the same as .30-06 M1903 rifles...as in a linseed oil finish, or in the forties maybe a tung oil finish? Thanks for any replies.

Lancebear

[Herschel]

Lancebear, Without digging through all my reference materials for confirmation I am comfortable in saying you are right. All of the 1922 series I have seen with original finish seem to be that type.

[Lancebear]

Hey Herschel,

I gotta' figure that is the case. I posted about this rifle before and wrote that I suspected the stock was finished with shellac. I was right, finish wiped right off with denatured alcohol. I didn't dare sand, but might have stained the wood with a fifty fifty mix of Minwax dark walnut and red oak, put on eight coats of pure tung oil. Color and finish are right now and I don't feel guilty. I never mess with an original rifle, but the shellac had to go. Thanks for your input. I'll post photos when I get a chance. It's a real looker now and a killer shooter.

Lancebear