Would I...

[thelongone13]

be an unlovable bastard if I refinished my Mosin Nagant? It has that old Russian shellac on it and it's chipped, scratched, and somewhat beat... I would refinish it with something to bring out the red color of the wood...

[Frenchy]

Many have done just that. Clean it with mineral spirits, and rub in boiled linseed oil...Raw linseed oil would be better.
The red comes from the shellac.

[Brickboy240]

Sure.

Strip the schellac off with some #00 steel wool and mineral spirits or one of those citrus based degreasers. Then, use boiled linseed oil (raw linseed takes to long to dry...seriously in WI...it will be snowthaw before it dries! LOL).

When applying the linseed oil, use cheese cloth or an old t-shirt and hand rub it in and wipe off the excess. Then, let it dry overnight and re-apply another hand rubbed coat. Do this until you get a good finish that you like.

Whatever you do...do NOT use ANY sort of polyurethane or some Minwax God-awful all in one stain/finish. That stuff is garbage and does not belong on a firearm. Its usually too glossy or slick and is just funky looking on a firearm. the colors are usually way off from any original finish as well.

I am pretty sure the Russians did not stain the wood and only applied linseed oil or tung oil then the schellac. No stain.

You can even use Tru-Oil to refinish the wood. Just use #0000 steel wool and buff it between hand applied coats to keep it form getting too glossy. Tru-Oil is a blend of tung and other oils and Japan dryer and if done right can make for a really nice hand rubbed oil finish. You can get Tru-Oil at Wal Mart...ist not expensive.

Good luck....I have restored many gunstocks and if you take your time...they turn out nice.

- brickboy240

[thelongone13]

Alright, I sense a father-son project coming in the next few months or so... He has all the woodworking equipment. Good to know my desire for a better looking gun isn't a sin...

[Joeywhat]

Assuming it's a plain jane Mosin who cares? Do it up and make it look good...if it's excellent condition then leave it as is and go buy a beater Mosin the mess with.

I always wanted to refinish my Mosins but sold them before I could...