mosin-nagant 91/30 orignial finish

[tpic402]

Refinishing 91/30 stock,came to me with red colored varnish,after removing varnish(which was flaking). I found my old friend cosmoline.My question is what was the original finish? I am assuming that cosmoline could not have penetrated the varnish if that was the orginal finish.     T

[kjeff50cal]

The original finish is shellac not varnish, a red (yeah red shallac). It is possible that Ivan got lazy that day and refurblished it by dipping the stock in the finish over the cosmoline but more than likely the cosmoline soaked in around the shellac.

[tpic402]

Thanks for the answer,It may have been dipped because even the barrel bands are covered in shellac.