Winchester 94 Wood Finish

[GTKF]

I just picked up a mid 70s model 94 cheap. The previus owner poly urethaned the stock (crappy job). I've stripped it but don't knw what kind of finish Winchester used in the 70's; varnish, oil or satin urethane.Any info would be appreciated


Ken

[Griff]

I might be wrong, but... stain and oil were the finishes for that time frame. There is a certain color red that was used to stain them, then an oil finish. Not rubbed, but... still, an oil based stain. Couple of guys have identified the correct color red a few times, but... since I prefer natural color to my woods, I ain't paid very close attention.

[meanc]

IIRC it was a mixture of Minwax

3/4 Red Mohagony - 1/4 walnut that came somewhat close. But i'm not positive.

I've got a couple of mid 70's 9422s that had little to no stain on them at all. Seemed as if it was just a clear coat over the walnut.

I actually just finished a couple of stocks with just Tru-Oil and they came out beautiful to me.

[cnjarvis]

Meanc is correct about the stain (red mahogany & dark walnut) but the ratio will vary from gun to gun so if you're trying to match one you may have to play with it to get it right. I used that exact ratio though to match the stain on my M94 stock.

[salvo]

This is what I have used and highly recommend

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... K%20FILLER

[O.S.O.K.]

This is what I use for older walnut stocks: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... T%20STAINS

And a good tung oil on top of that will give a very nice finish close to the original. This is labor intesive though - and you can also get a nice finish with satin polyuethan.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Brownells French Red is a good stain to match early Winchesters. I use two coats and finish with your favorite oil like True oil. I like the hand rubbed Permalyn the best.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... &%20SEALER

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... ED%20STAIN

The color comes out like this.