Refinishing stock and forend
Moderator: ripjack13
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Refinishing a stock and forend of a Model 37. Does anyone know the type of finish that the factory used on stocks and forends? The types of finishes would be linseed oil, tung oil, polyeurethane, etc. Or if you would have a good suggestion for another type of finish, I would appreciate it. Thanks
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The type of wood finish may well depend on the era your Featherlight was made and it's grade.
Welcome fellow Ithaca shooter! |
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Thanks for the welcome. My model 37 was made in 1972. I recently purchased it, knowing work needed to be done to the stock. I have done woodworking for a number of years, so refinishing a stock is easy. It is all about having a good sander. Still deciding on which finish to use. With oil finishes, periodic reapplication is necessary and scratches can be touched up with additional oil. With polyurethane, the finish does not need maintenance, but scratches are evident. To cover up scratches, the entire surface must be sanded and another coat of polyurethane applied. So I am not sure which way to go. Found this forum the other day, and thought I would ask for advice.
I have owned a model 87 for 20+ years, and have enjoyed the gun. Bought the model 37 so I could invite someone to go deer hunting. I am enjoying restoring the gun. Didn't know the history of the model 37 until an article in American Hunter a few years back. Thanks for the help |
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Just me, (and I'm not always right) I prefer Tru-Oil finish from Birtchwood Casey to anything. Even if the factory finish wasn't oil and if I refinish a stock that's what I've used for 40+ years, (I just don't have the room for a dip tank full of hot linseed oil like Springfield Armory used).
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I have been trying to find the discussion that I read that during one period of time, Ithaca used spar varnish on the stocks. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it.
My 1956 buttstock is in need of refinishing, and the "chippies" in it, and the way it gets water spots, sure looks like a type of varnish. Of course varnishes, especially the non-polyurethane ones, do have natural oils and components as their makeup. |
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i've been told that it was a laquer finish that was used
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You're right twisted oak. Lacquer was one of the finishes used on Featherlights. I can try and find it in the book again, but I do remember reading that it was among the finishes they used. |
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That would be Duco laquer, here is another discussion about it
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtop ... &p=1890210 obviously if you really wanted to know, you could contact Les Hovencamp and ask him http://www.diamondgunsmithing.com/ he was Ithaca's main gunsmith while it was in New York |
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Thanks to those who replied to my inquiry. The stock and forend had been painted black over the original finish. I stripped them with a wood scraper, and the original finish came off along with the paint. This, along with the posts above, indicates it is a laquer. I appreciate the help, and will post picts when I am done.
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