[Ken]

It's the middle of our winter, halfway through. I picked this up last week at the Mankato show.
It's a homemade replacement for a Paige and Lewis rifle. It was a tough looking mess, the rifle and stock, before I gave it the Easy Off shower.
Since I can't just go get another stock refinishing this will have to do.
From the looks of the finish and the aged color of the wood I am estimating it about 75 years old.
I need to figure out a finish that won't darken the wood. Oil based finish will turn it too dark. I want to preserve the current color and character.

 

[George Foster]

That seems like a pretty nice-looking stock. What was used 75yrs ago to finish stocks, varnish or shellac? That is what I would try if you don't want to darken the wood, put a good protective coat of wax on the finished stock.

 

[Kentucky Fisherman]

Ken, I think varnish, shellac or polyurethane should work for you and not darken things. If you have any/all of those on hand, you might do some test patches in the barrel channel, where it won't show.

 

[FBecigneul]

I think I’d give it a tung oil rub, and rub, and rub.

 

[TinMan]

Ken, there is a brushing lacquer called Deft that is clear like water. My Dad used it on some knotty pine panelling that came out great, and had not yellowed with age (30+ years). My second choice would be just Tru-Oil.

 

[Gabriel]

My vote is Deft and it can be bought in an aerosol.

 

[JRinKY]

I remember using Deft and it was semi gloss. Probably have both?
I like the unique stock and would clear coat it with Deft.

 

[hedgehoghunter]

Water base poly not that I'm a fan but it doesn't yellow and if done correctly looks good.

 

[Ken]

I had not thought about Deft. I used it years ago and didn't care for it. Nasty smell or something like that. And it's not available around here.
Someone else suggested Minwax natural as a good cross between oil based and water based. I was thinking water based but too many have said this is the wrong application.
I will pick up a can of Minwax this week and experiment.
If I don't like it I can always use it on shelves.