Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Stock Color

Fairlane66

I recently purchased a pristine 1955-vintage Winchester Model 70 from an elderly gentleman who owned the rifle since new. He claimed to have mounted a scope, fired less than a dozen rounds down the tube, cleaned the rifle well, and then placed the piece in the corner of his in-home storage room where it remained until last week. When I first saw it, the rifle was covered with dust and years of grime--the scope had huge dust bunnies around the mounts and cobwebs in the trigger guard--but after I got it home and cleaned it up, I found it to be 99%, at least. Here's the weird thing. The stock has never been redone and only has a few very minor blemishes, but the color is odd. The bolt side of the stock is that old time reddish brown Winchester finish one would expect to find. The opposite side is noticeably blonde and much lighter than the flip side. Turning the rifle over, there's no definite line where the color changes, it's just a gradual shift. I don't remember how the rifle was resting in the corner, but could this color shift be due to sun exposure on the lighter side of the stock, or is this more likely a natural characteristic of the stock blank? I'll try to post pictures if that'll help. I've just never seen a stock like this before and cannot explain the oddity. Thoughts? Thank you.

Ray B

I suspect the color is a result of the micro-climate where the rifle set. Considering the dust bunnies, my first thought is that there may have been a heat vent nearby that blew hot air from the furnace onto the one side of the rifle. While the change would affect the collector status- other than possible warping of the wood, the rifle should be perfect functionally.

RCrosby

Pictures would sure help. That said, I'm leaning toward original color variation in the wood. I saw an old Ruger 77 once that was dark dark walnut brown on one side and more blond than M.M. on the other. Looked like a mis-matched 2 piece laminate but close inspection showed one piece of wood. It does happen, even with old New Haven material.
So,
Pictures please![:D][:D]

CapnMidnight

The sun bleached out one side of that stock.
Mix 50-50 terpintine and boiled linseed oil, put some on a cloth and rub it on the light side. Let it set a few minutes, wipe it off.
If this helps restore the color, do it every day for a week, then once a week for 7 weeks.
I have used this method on many older Winchester stocks, it doesn't alter the original finish, it just breathes some new life into old finish.
W.D.

Fairlane66

Here's a picture I took showing the gun's bottom metal. It also depicts the color variation from one side to the other. As I said, there's no definite line, just a gradual fading from the darker bolt-side to the other. I've looked under the bottom metal to see if the metal might have protected the wood from the sun or heat, but the wood underneath is the same color as the rest on each corresponding side. Makes me think this is just a naturally occurring characteristic in the wood, but the variation is striking. Thoughts?


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Hawk Carse

I think you have a sapwood stock, cut between the heart and sap.
Surprised that they accepted it, but there it is.

Ray B

Not able to see from the photo, but if the light/dark occurs precisely with the grain, then it is probably the color of the wood. If the color change smears over the variations in the grain then it is probably in the finish and likely could be darkened following the Capt'ns posting.

CapnMidnight

I beleave that is naturaly colored stock, after seeing the pictures.
In which case, I wouldn't mess with the finish.
The recipe iI gave you works real well freshening up a finish like that. One application, wipe it on, let it set 30 minutes wipe it off.
W.D.

Grasshopper

I had a Remington 541s that was exactly like that,,very interesting and one that I wish I had kept..I say natural!