Refinished Pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight

[David LaPell]

A friend of my mother's has made me the caretaker of some very fine rifles, including a Model 52 Winchester B sporter from the early 1950's, a Remington Model 12 pump, and a pre-64 Model 70 Featherweight in .308. These guns belonged to the man's father who passed away a few years ago and had not been seen since. The Model 70's finish on the stock was pretty much shot, flaked off on every part of the stock and was exposing bare wood, especially on the buttstock by the recoil pad. I talked to the man about it and asked him about refinishing it and we went over a couple ideas. I told him being refinished would hurt the value some, but the stock in the condition was in was awful. He agreed since it was a hunting rifle and it was not going to ever be sold to go ahead. He didn't like the glossy finish so we went with a nice Tru-Oil finish after I stripped the stock down. I did this about a week before my surgery and it took quite a bit doing it all one handed, but I rigged up a coat hanger to hold it steady so I could get the stripper on it and then smooth out the wood before I put on the Tru-Oil. I did four coats but dulled down the last one a bit with 0000 steel wool. The grain on the stock is exceptional, something the old stain didn't show because of the yellowing and cracking. Now the gun looks like it should. I have also been given permission to use the rifle if I choose so I plan on getting some .308 loads when ever I can get the chance to even bring it to the range one handed if need be. I won't miss a chance to shoot this little gem. It was a true Adirondack woods gun with its Williams receiver sight. The bore is like new and the action typical of the old Winchester bolt actions.


Before (I couldn't have taken enough pics to show how far gone this finish was)

After

 

[V-35]

Looks like you did well David. A Huge inprovement.



BTW I received the book & holster & I'm happy!


Art

 

[Big Fred]

That looks really nice. I'd be proud to have it in my safe.

 

[pownal55]

I have two of those M70 308's and they are the perfect deer rifle in my opinion, I'm sure you will love it.

 

[2152hq]

I'm not a fan of Tru-Oil, but that looks very nice. Just right for the rifle and vintage I think. Great job.

FWIW, at some point in the production Winchester used a spray applied laquer finish w/ a very small amt of carnuba wax disolved into the laquer.
The wax made application easier, softened the finished look just a bit and added a touch of color tone to the finish.
Still being laquer though and a finish sitting on top of the wood,, it chips, scrapes & scratches easily.

Off the shelf 'Deft' brand spray laquer is used quite a lot when restoring or upgrading Winchester wood of those vintage years. It takes some staining & filler work first to put the color right as the laquer is clear, but the results can be 'oh-so-Winchester if done right.
A great number of the upgraded .22's, M42, M12 & M70's are finished up that way.

 

[tomtheturner]

Great job. It looks very professional.

Tom

 

[Wingmaster]

I don't think you hurt the value of that gun.

Wingmaster