Has this G/K43 stock been messed with?

[Stephen Stout]

Someone brought it to my attention that this stock looks like it has been sanded or varnished. What do you think? I really don't see it but maybe I just don't have the best eye for these. Thank you for the help!




































Stock spine "eagle proof" (look hard as it is hard to photo)

[Steve Flanagan]

Stock

Based on photos I would say its been sanded or steel wooled a little, but all the stamps are at least visible giving an idea of how much. Then lightly coated with varnish or shellac. If its yours you can try wiping it down with denatured alcohol which will remove shellac with no harm to stain. If its a laquer it wont come with alcohol

[buckle1]

The proof mark appears to be on the wrong side of the stock and looks a bit strange to me.

Bill

[bodes]

Someone brought it to my attention that this stock looks like it has been sanded or varnished. What do you think? I really don't see it but maybe I just don't have the best eye for these. Thank you for the help!

I would say very little (sanding) IF any....Hard to say in some areas whether that's handling wear or what.....Maybe a coat of Tru Oil was put on it?.....I say don't worry, enjoy it!....Bodes

[bodes]

The proof mark appears to be on the wrong side of the stock and looks a bit strange to me.

Bill

Not on a Walther made G43....On BLM made ones they are on the front side....Bodes

[Stephen Stout]

So is it best to leave it or apply acetone, then denatured alcohol and finally Howard Feed & Wax?

[Steve Flanagan]

Rifle

Leave it alone, Acetone will ruin stock, too strong of a solvent

[bodes]

Leave it alone, Acetone will ruin stock, too strong of a solvent

Yeah, unfortunately you'd likely go from one extreme to the other.....Using some chemical could make the stock look bleached out and dull....You may get lucky and bring it back some afterwards by putting boiled linseed oil on it.....But why go through the bother?....ENJOY IT!.....Bodes

[Stephen Stout]

Leave it alone, Acetone will ruin stock, too strong of a solvent

Yeah, unfortunately you'd likely go from one extreme to the other.....Using some chemical could make the stock look bleached out and dull....You may get lucky and bring it back some afterwards by putting boiled linseed oil on it.....But why go through the bother?....ENJOY IT!.....Bodes

So maybe just clean the stock with denatured alchol to see if it can take any of the varnish off then use Howard Feed & Wax? Thanks again for the help!

[the_stig]

I used Acetone to strip the Russian shellac off my four RC K98's, cut through it much faster than DA, and finished all four stocks off with Howard's. Look great with no damage and the faint WaA623 cartouch wasn't affected.

Not sure if I'd be ballsy enough to risk using it on a matching G43 stock, denatured alcohol should work just fine in your case, just sharing my experience.

Based on the first two photos posted I'm in the lightly sanded/varnished camp on that stock. Still a nice rifle though.

[MikeP]

Leave it alone.

[CWP]

I would also leave it alone. I don't believe it could be improved. Resist the temptation to fiddle with it. It is what it is.

[Stephen Stout]

Leave it alone.

I would also leave it alone. I don't believe it could be improved. Resist the temptation to fiddle with it. It is what it is.

Leave it alone, Acetone will ruin stock, too strong of a solvent

I am going to leave it alone, it is what it is. At least some of the markings are still there and plus how many collectors have a minty all matching G/K43? It was sanded and varnished post war, that is part of this rifle's history. No need to ruin it.

[Nigromontanus]

I can not even confirm that it has been sanded/varnished. It is a nice gun and should stay as it is.

[Glen S.]

Stephen,

If it was sanded it was done lightly or not very much where the waffenamt eagles are on the wood, which is good for you. Does it have a matching SN stamped on the stock edge between the pistol grip and butt?

Mine was sanded and then had a clear coat applied and I can barely make out the outline of the eagle's wing on the side of the stock, however the SN is pretty clear. I can't see the eagle at the pistol grip on mine.

I'm not messing with mine, just would have liked it left alone by whoever had it before I bought it!

Glen