Refinish M44 Stock

[AJ Dual]

I'm looking to refinish the stock on my 1955 Iszhvesk M44 carbine. The finish is the usual semi-gloss reddish orange. While now it's worth is only as a $50 shooter, it won't be forever. The 60s and 70's 1903 Springfields that were $50 are now often $400 or more. So I'd like to keep it as original or "probably original" as possible.

The stock is in OK shape, some scratches and dings that I can steam out, but there are some worn patches where the finish has rubbed or flaked off.

I'd like to refinish the rifle with the correct finish. Are there color variations in the M44, some brown, some red, some blonde etc? Or are they all red? If other colors are possible original issue, I wouldn't mind changing colors.

Is the finish shellac, or something else?

I just would like an appraiser 50-100 years from now saying to my (great)grandkids, "It may have been re-finished, but it looks like the correct "X" Russian finish. Perhaps it was done at the arsenal."

Instead of: "It's a very nice rifle, except for the late 20th century or early 21st century polyeurethane."

I know any alteration of a firearm decreases it's eventual collectibility or value, but I want to strike a compromise between it's low value now, and improving it's appearance, and keeping it authentic for later.

Andrew

[REDSTAR]

Considering there's countless M44's in the country I think it will be a very long time before they go up in value.


But to answer your questions, on the Russian M44's I've seen:
1)some have a laminate stock, I've seen these in blonde and orange red.
2)Some have a hardwood stock, I've seen these in both blonde and red to orange red. The blonde ones I've seen were arsenal refurbished NIW M44's.
3) I have five or six Russian M44's. I have war era ones with both laminate and hardwood stocks and they're all red/orangish. The refurbished ones are blonde hardwood, post war, I also have another post war in red/orange.

The laminate stocks have a light and sloppy coat of laquer on them. The hardwood stocks do not seem to have laquer, it's more of an oil based stain. Key word is sloppy. If you want to truely be authentic then don't get anal with them. :) They slopped right over the barrel bands and stock bolts.