Winchester 94 pre 64 stock refinish

Seanik · 12-14-2007, 06:49 PM

I recently acquired a pre 64 "94"(30-30) and the stock needs to be refinished. The previous owner transported it in the bed of a pick up unprotected, it's at the local gunsmith getting the blueing fixed. I know there's kits available but I would like to restore back to the original satin finish. there is a small gouge missing, probably a knot. Is a stain accepting wood filler ok? This is a good straight shooting rifle and worth investing some bucks since I got it for the right price. My first Winchester. I now think I need a Trapper in 357 mag or 30-30, tough to find but I.m looking. Any advice is appreciated.

toolman · 12-14-2007, 08:05 PM

Welcome to G&G! How big is the "gouge"? I wouldn't use a commercial filler, it usually absorbs more stain than the surrounding wood and comes out as a large dark spot. If it's a 1\4" or larger in dia., I'd carefully drill it and use a walnut dowel to fill the hole. Cut the dowel nearly flush, then sand it down so that it blends with the surrounding surfaces. I use 220 grit for fast material removal, then go to 320, then finish with 400 for most guns. If you want a super slick finish, you can go to 600 or as fine as 15,000 grit(gives a glass-like finish but is a major pain-in-the-a**). Be sure to de-whisker the wood before finishing by hand-rubbing thin coats of boiled linseed oil into the wood. Let one coat dry, go over it lightly with either 600 wet-or-dry paper or 0000 steel wool, wipe with a tack cloth and repeat until you get the finish you want. This is just a quideline, there's a bit more to it, but it's too involved to post in extreme detail.

nathangdad · 12-14-2007, 10:54 PM

Strip the stock to a bare finish. Then begin applying boiled linseed oil. Every few months apply another coat, rub it in, the buff it with a soft cloth. Eventually, you will have a finish that enhances the natural wood, is waterproof, and if you get a scratch you can just treat the scratch with more linseed oil. I have seen a large number of older custom stocks treated in this manner. The urethane gloss finishes are prone to scratching and you cannot make them look good again.

Seanik · 12-15-2007, 11:31 AM

Great information and help Toolman and Nathangdad. I won't get the reblued 94 back until after the 1st of the year but will definitely use boiled linseed oil on the stock. I forgot about linseed oil, I used to brush it on my fathers wooden extension ladders 50+ years ago, still remember the smell. The Winchester took a nice Whitetail deer this year close to my cabin near the Allegheny Nat. Forest.
I visited 2 local gunshops yesterday looking for a Winnie Trapper, both said come back after the holidays because a lot of guns come in on consignment to pay the credit card bills.
I don't like to take advantage of someones misfortune but thats business I guess!
Enough rambling.
Thanks again

12-14-2007, 06:49 PM	#1
Seanik Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 14	Winchester 94 pre 64 stock refinish I recently acquired a pre 64 "94"(30-30) and the stock needs to be refinished. The previous owner transported it in the bed of a pick up unprotected, it's at the local gunsmith getting the blueing fixed. I know there's kits available but I would like to restore back to the original satin finish. there is a small gouge missing, probably a knot. Is a stain accepting wood filler ok? This is a good straight shooting rifle and worth investing some bucks since I got it for the right price. My first Winchester. I now think I need a Trapper in 357 mag or 30-30, tough to find but I.m looking. Any advice is appreciated.

12-14-2007, 08:05 PM	#2
toolman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,029	Welcome to G&G! How big is the "gouge"? I wouldn't use a commercial filler, it usually absorbs more stain than the surrounding wood and comes out as a large dark spot. If it's a 1\4" or larger in dia., I'd carefully drill it and use a walnut dowel to fill the hole. Cut the dowel nearly flush, then sand it down so that it blends with the surrounding surfaces. I use 220 grit for fast material removal, then go to 320, then finish with 400 for most guns. If you want a super slick finish, you can go to 600 or as fine as 15,000 grit(gives a glass-like finish but is a major pain-in-the-a*). Be sure to de-whisker the wood before finishing by hand-rubbing thin coats of boiled linseed oil into the wood. Let one coat dry, go over it lightly with either 600 wet-or-dry paper or 0000 steel wool, wipe with a tack cloth and repeat until you get the finish you want. This is just a quideline, there's a bit more to it, but it's too involved to post in extreme detail. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun! Last edited by toolman; 12-14-2007 at 11:14 PM.*

12-14-2007, 10:54 PM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,861	I have a perfect method Strip the stock to a bare finish. Then begin applying boiled linseed oil. Every few months apply another coat, rub it in, the buff it with a soft cloth. Eventually, you will have a finish that enhances the natural wood, is waterproof, and if you get a scratch you can just treat the scratch with more linseed oil. I have seen a large number of older custom stocks treated in this manner. The urethane gloss finishes are prone to scratching and you cannot make them look good again.

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12-15-2007, 11:31 AM	#4
Seanik Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 14	Great information and help Toolman and Nathangdad. I won't get the reblued 94 back until after the 1st of the year but will definitely use boiled linseed oil on the stock. I forgot about linseed oil, I used to brush it on my fathers wooden extension ladders 50+ years ago, still remember the smell. The Winchester took a nice Whitetail deer this year close to my cabin near the Allegheny Nat. Forest. I visited 2 local gunshops yesterday looking for a Winnie Trapper, both said come back after the holidays because a lot of guns come in on consignment to pay the credit card bills. I don't like to take advantage of someones misfortune but thats business I guess! Enough rambling. Thanks again