Lighten old gunstock

[0for]

I acquired an estate of muzzlelorders ( 17th to 19th century ). there are a few Schuetzen rifles with beautiful wood. However, it’s quite dark in color. What is the best way to lighten it up so you can see the figure in the wood. If possible, I prefer to preserve the original finish.

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Impossible, if you want to preserve the "original" finish. If these guns are from the 17th to 19th century, any alteration to them will destroy any value they may have. LEAVE THEM ALONE!

 

[0for]

Do you have any suggestions for cleaning the stock?

 

[deerstalkert]

the stock patina on that era gun is part of its story and value. Don't give in to the desire to make them look "new".
post pictures, now that you have teased us!

 

[Crow-Feather]

Well, I am a bit different. I would use a very mild soap and water to get the stock clean of dirt and grime. I hate putting a stock to my face when it could have been used to put out a dog manure fire.

 

[Kansas Jake]

I agree with leaving the finish alone. It also makes a big difference depending on age or condition. It I had a late 19th century hardware store percussion shotgun in drag from the barn condition I would have at it. A 17th or 18th century piece, I would not touch other than dusting without consulting someone who knows those guns. On the old and rare ones we are just caretakers.

 

[ord sgt]

A light cleaning with Murphy's Oil will remove the dirt but not the finish. Just don't scrub with steel wool or any other abrasive cloth.

 

[0for]

the stock patina on that era gun is part of its story and value. Don't give in to the desire to make them look "new".
post pictures, now that you have teased us!

the stock patina on that era gun is part of its story and value. Don't give in to the desire to make them look "new".
post pictures, now that you have teased us!

Here is an attempt for pictures

 

[oldwood]

About as far as I would go with this rifle is Minwax paste furnature wax.

 

[davidmc62]

Oh my that is a gem right there!!!

 

[cynthialee]

About as far as I would go with this rifle is Minwax paste furnature wax.

Seriously!!
Don't alter that rifle at all, don't mess with the stock color. That rifle is gorgeous as is and to lighten it will impact its value.

 

[martin9]

Nothing to lighten really. Looks like nice figured walnut. A newly finished gun with a similar piece of wood will be that dark anyway. My curly maple stocks always finish out darker than that.

 

[Stykbow]

That’s a real beauty right there!

 

[Rendezvous Valley Trading]

I can’t see the last two pictures through my tears. I.WANT.TO.SHOOT.IT. Oh great, now I blew a snot bubble...

 

[deerstalkert]

Wood ! and i don't mean the cellulose type!

 

[0for]

Thank you for the ideas and the compliments. I’ll post pics after I get it cleaned up, just dust and wax.

 

[bubba.50]

Renaissance Wax is what a lot of museums use on old artifacts.

 

[0for]

My Renaissance wax was just delivered today. Thanks for agreeing with my research, I feel better about trying it now.

 

[DuncNZ]

Renaissance Wax is what a lot of museums use on old artifacts.

I once asked the National War Museum curators what they used for preserving old firearms , They put me onto Renaissance wax which is a microcrystalline wax . The museum use so much of this wax that they make their own . The wax has the advantage of being non invasive , in that it can be applied to wood and metal without filling the pores as silicone wax would , allowing the wax to be removed easily some time in the future if certain aspects of the article needed repair or close examination and it doesn't change or dry out over time .
They clean off dirt with distilled water and a cotton swab on a stick and occasionally pure alcohol , a bit like art restorers do . It is a bit of an arcane art .

 

[0for]

Thank you for the tips on the process.