How did I do? (M39 Gun Show Purchase)

[93Cobra]

I bought an M39 today. It is a matching # gun dated 1942 with a VKT marking. The finish appears to be about 99%. The bore is mirror like and the stock has no major defects (although there are a few dings). I paid the guy $147 for it. I just finished cleaning the cosmoline off the rifle, and the stock really looks great. What type of oil could I use to rub into the stock to eliminate some of the dullness? I don't want to sand it or anything like that...I just want a fresh oil finish. BTW...did I get a good deal? I'll post pictures later.

Scott

[Richard Simmons]

I don't think you did too bad. WG&A has Excellent VKT with 95-99% blue for $110 + shipping and Like New for $150 + shipping. You got to pick this one yourself so that's usually a plus in my book. Try lemon oil to clean everything up with and it that dosen't do it for you try some Boiled Linseed Oil. Tung Oil works well but IIRC it darkens the wood more than BLO. After the BLO or whatever you use is dry you could try a coat of wax to seal out the moisture. I've had good results recently with Bowling Alley Wax aka Buthers Wax but others have been happy with neutral shoe polish or carnuba wax. You can generally get as much or as little shine as you want just by buffing and reapplying until your happy. Entirely up to you. BLO is probably the closest to the original military finish IMO.

[REDSTAR]

I think you did OK. These are nice rifles. You did especially OK if you don't have the license because you would have had to pay a transfer fee if you mail ordered it. Even so, buying something you can inspect and feel first is worth the premium. Plus you have it, you're not waiting for it.

Ditto what RS says about the finish. Nice tiger stripes?? I love the wood on these. With the BLO the stripes will come out better. One of mine (a Sako) is more of a leopard look than striped look, I always pick that rifle up no matter what I'm in my gun room for, it just demands my attention.

[zouavexx]

Sounds like you found a real nice one. Now you need to get your C&R so you can buy them wholesale!

[NC_Rebel]

Formby's Lemon Oil cleans decades of grime off old rifle stocks like you wouldn't believe. That linseed oil is good stuff to follow up with. I cleaned a friend's Turk using both the lemon oil and linseed oil and the stock looks a lot better now.

BTW, good score on the VKT. You will enjoy it. :D