Finally Stain and Boiled Linseed Oil on 1903a3 Stock

It's time to finally see what the 1903a3 stock is going to look like with stain and boiled linseed oil???

[@swhedge71]

You've got an addicting persona, with deep passion in what you do and say, your emotions run deep, not only in your project but in your love and deep beliefs in heritage and preserving what this nation was built upon. I commend you for speaking your mind and saluting those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to allow the people of this great Republic to continue to live free. I like the content on this channel, but I was compelled to subscribe because of your morals and beliefs. Thank you Sir!

[@jackson4861]

Doesn’t take long to see that Tom is the real deal.

[@bobbyboothe8964]

GOD Bless the Men and Women who fought for Our Freedom.... I Thank GOD..... Great video. Thanks Tom

[@Mr4starrguy]

Nice video… your thoughts on the value of our nation which was kept whole by the sacrifice of many should be honored with memorials is spot on. We can’t change our history. Embrace it!

[@tonyjones9715]

What great work you do Mark. Thank you for all videos .

[@timbarton6145]

This is the sort of guy I would love to have as a neighbor. Good ole down home wisdom and talent. I really enjoyed this video and I loved the way the stock turned out. I have one that looks just like it on an early 03 Springfield that doesn't have a lick of finish left on it and I think I am going to try your method. Thanks for the great video.

[@easttexan2933]

Heck of a job, Tom. Very nice looking working man's finish. I think you'll be very pleased with it through the years.

[@noexcuses6727]

Just accidently stumbled onto this channel and watch the staining process. OKAY, no big deal. But, your message on the Memorials made me subscribe to your channel. Being from Savannah Georgia and the last name being Lee, it really hits home. Thanks

[@markchoate9021]

Tom, I came to this video to learn more on boiled linseed oil treatment on gunstocks. And... I did learn a lot. But, the real value of this video is in the last few minutes with your discussion of the treatment of our monuments and the direction of the country. Thank you so much not only your wood treatment knowledge but especially for your views on the heritage of this country.

[@robapfel3241]

The videos you produce are entertaining and very informative. Great content and you are an inspiration to all who watch. Thank you for what you do!!

[@ricktaylor5744]

Great job, it's so satisfying to build and create some thing that will be with you for a life time, the love and care that you put in your work will be there for others to appreciate and remember you by. thank you for sharing.

[@NorthwoodsShooter]

Hello Tom! Your message is solid, and well received here. Thank you for sharing!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Northwoods Shooter, I appreciate that.

[@krperry2007]

I like your thought process, do what you can and keep moving forward.

[@MichaelRHull-wy7wg]

Loved this video and your approach on how to do this. I also strongly agree on your view on our Memorial’s, you said it perfectly and I thank you!

[@sammylacks4937]

I once oil finished a 22 lr stock and fore arm one piece and got the idea from an outdoor mag that stressed many one or two drops of linseed oil per coat allowing time to fully dry between sometimes just hand rubbing between coats. It turned out extremely well , took a little time but was well worth it. Thank you so much for bringing up the issue of the memorials. Once gone they are gone forever and like you mentioned they have a much deeper meaning to families that lost members. God bless you , stock looks great.

[@thomasbatty9735]

just happened by. The Mark Novak reference caught my attention, the speech at the end made me a subscriber. Good stuff, thank you

[@milesboulton9885]

Tom, thank you for your humility in trying something even when you're not sure how it's going to turn out - in front of everyone! I've found that through much trial and error one can get closer and closer to achieving the look and the performance we're looking for. I'm not there yet. It's certainly not a cookie cutter formula... too many wood species, open grain, closed grain... sometimes even in the same piece of wood. There are a lot of variables. It's a lot of work and a whole lot of learning. Thank you for sharing this presentation. Thanks also for directing our thoughts to things that matter much more than a gun stock - as important as this may be. God bless.

[@JFP1951]

Wise words. Appreciate your work and admire your attitude .

[@motive6134]

Please never stop making videos. Theyre so comforting because they remind me of old times when my grandfathers were still here and the world was just better.

[@brianlee6849]

I think it came out beautiful. The color from the spliced in wood doesn't bother me in my opinion it gives it more character shows that somebody built what they wanted versus going out and buying somebody else's work. My preference is the Danish oil sanded in just like you did it with the linseed oil. Danish oil is typically made from blends of Linseed oil and/or Tung oil, mineral spirits, synthetic resins and varnish to make it durable and easy to work with. Rustins Danish oil however is considered to be the 'original' formula. So it dries faster and comes out to a really hard durable finish. I think it came out great. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@davidmiller6819]

I went to Gettysburg with my buddy, we both just retired from the military. It's was a first of many sites on our bucket list to see. The battfield was 20 square miles, the dmz was the center of the town. It is critical to understand history so not to repeat the same mistakes. That war lead us to be a great nation, so memorials are important. As to the video posted, I would enjoy being an apprenticeship to someone like you. A true craftsman in a shake and bake world.

[@speedyconcretepumper]

I’ll never forget an episode of the Waltons when John boy said” civil war”. Grandpa quickly corrected him “war between the states”. Great video Tom!

[@fireman305]

That looks amazing! I’m getting ready to strip & re-stain the handgrips on my new AK. This video is giving me a lot of insight & tips for that project. Keep up the great work!

[@stoegerstewie8351]

Who did that turn out ?

[@MrLeo7627]

Thank you for all your videos , seen 4 or 5 now , Love the ending on this one . I'm also a GunBlue490 Fan .

[@longotown]

Love the talk at the end Tom. Some of the old cemeteries are the most beautiful places to see!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

They are and that's really all most places have left from the past. Everything else has been lost to time.

[@graff324]

My first viewing of your videos! Respect. Both for your projects, and for your views .

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks!

[@happycup9017]

I had an old Winchester Marine 12 gauge with a cherry wood stock and it had the nicest finish I have ever seen. I always wanted to know how it was done. This is it. Perfect timing too...I am about to finish my 1911 grips and now I know how to finish it. 🥳 It's the little things..

[@jasonruebke483]

Excellent end note and great looking stock, I hope mine turns out half as good. Thank you sir.

[@RogerSnell]

It's coming along very nicely, looking forward to future episodes.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Roger

[@nickpurdy3096]

Wise words sensibly conveyed. Thanks.

[@devildoc225]

A real down-home gentleman, right there. Great video. Nice low-key demeanor. I agree 100%. Linseed oil is the way to go for a field grade stock. That stock is most likely old growth timber, and probably closer to 150-200 years old, when you factor in the age of the stock since built, and the potential age of the tree at felling. That stock looks great. Best of luck with the build!

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Garand Guy, and I hadn't even thought about factoring the age since built. Great point.

[@andrewfike8191]

Absolutely wonderful video, THANK YOU Sir!!!

[@timouellette5865]

Thanks for the great history lesson, especially where Memotial Day originated from. You hit the nail square on the head with all your comments. It takes a lifetime of selfless work to build a family and maintain it. How much more collaborative effect does it take to build and maintain a free Republic.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Well said Tim.

[@forgit4562]

Kia ora Tom. Great video I learned a l lot about staining. Recently picked up a 303 sporter that had never been fired. Stock is very pale. I may now tackle that. Re your comments at the end. I agree entirely. Too often we judge history by the myopic view of today or worse the trend of today. Looking forward to seeing the rifle back in the field.

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Nice to come across your channel. Thank you.

[@oldesertguy9616]

I usually don't like people sporterizing military rifles, but they did a beautiful job adding to that stock. Amazing.

[@craigleibbrand7761]

It's great watching you work it's a labor of love

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Craig

[@samuelberryhill2804]

Really good job on the stock man I really have enjoyed these videos my hat is off to you for all the time and work you have in this complete rifle really good job.i really enjoy all your videos and all the knowledge you share.thank you for sharing about memorials people need to thank about what they where really made for and why the people who had them built them for i know i have at least one family has served in every war and I know of at least ten falt Civil war and yes im from the great land of the south in the state of North Carolina and no none of my family who fault in the Civil war had slaves they fault for there rights and to protect what they knew and loved one of them was shot three different times and went back and served all the way to Gettysburg were he was captured.people just need to stop and thank about what they do before they do it and quit destroying this country our ancestors have fault to protect and have built for us to have the life we live now it truly is heart breaking.thanks again and keep up the good work God bless yall

[@abelguerra8284]

That stock is looking beautiful can't wait to see it all back together

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Abel, and I'm getting anxious to see how it turns out myself!

[@zeketaylor419]

I just ran across your video. I learned alot from this. Thank you for taking the time to show all if us. I especially want to thank you for the ending message. I’m not from the south, but I think you are absolutely correct. It’s a shame to be destroying history like that. God bless you sir.

[@bthompson2792]

I wouldn’t worry about it not blending I think it’s apart of the rifles story adds to its hart and sole . I love it . Great job

[@OMGWUNSIU]

Love the stock and the comments. Hope the rifle is looking good and it’s almost Memorial Day again so the comments are timely. Thanks Tom…

[@Owl4909]

wonderful words at the end and so very true.

[@dbriggs1689]

Profound words. Thank you.

[@BuckIt00]

Man watching you rebuild that stock gives me a slight filling i may be able to do mine. My 1903 270 has a stock made by bishop. Its got beautiful lines in there but im worried I'll mess up the carvings in the process. I want to do a gloss finish and pull out the wood. Im on the fence. Hey you want another project 😆. Its looking good looking forward to range day with it come deer season

[@repairfreak]

Your stock looks great Tom, you are doing an excellent job, I’m very happy for you. As far as memorials that were built I can’t agree with you more, they were built out of love, and this is our history regardless of ones political views. It’s very important that we never loose sight of the history of our great nation. Our country is the greatest & most generous country on the face of the planet! I feel it should be celebrated and honored and remembered by all Americans and esp for all those that gave their lives fighting for our freedoms, and also what they believed in. If a person disagrees with me, there is absolutely nothing holding you back from leaving. Love your channel Tom, God bless you, your family and all your fantastic and intelligent subscribers. ✌️😎👍 ❤️

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Mike, and well said!

[@martinfitzpatrick6632]

Truly wise word of wisdom. The stock looks great, I can only hope some day through hard work and saving to have something like what this 1903 will be. 👍

[@samuelbean9928]

Thank You Sir for that insight. I came for the gunstock refinishing but glad I stayed to hear your ending. God Bless you and God Bless all the fallen soldiers.

[@kenlansing1216]

Thank you for the pointers, I am currently treating a commercial stock on a commercially sporterised Swedish Mauser with boiled linseed oil.

[@hermanmclean311]

Thank you Sir, hate is the universal destroyer. I admire you and your thoughts and I just subbed.

[@michaelcoei2850]

I've used Tru Oil with great results. For example, I used Tru Oil on an old oak rocking chair over 40 years ago. The finish is still great and stood the test of time (plus kids, moves, and pets).

[@peghead]

I love Tru Oil, used it in the late 70's on two flintlock pistol kits, most recently on the tiger maple haft of a pipe tomahawk. 1st coat thinned 50% with turpentine, 2nd coat full strength and it was finished, I was amazed it only took two applications.

[@drummer0864]

The end of this video should be sent to congress. Great work on the stock. and To blend color after the staining process, especially when you use linseed oil, I've mixed a couple of drops of stain in the oil while sanding it in.

[@enniovarone1197]

Beautiful job on the rifle stock, but what you said about the memorials was right on point, bravo Tom these people have a lot of hatred in there hearts it’s like they trying to erase history. It’s so sad thank you for bringing out this important fact. Enio Varone

[@danditto6145]

God Bless you for the help with my rifle stock your video provided and your moving defense of our veteran’s monuments.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

I'm glad you appreciated it Dan.

[@danditto6145]

@@TomRiverSimpleLiving in your debt sir!

[@southron1861]

Never saw your channel before, and just stopped by to watch how you refinished your stock so I could hopefully pick up some tips on refinishing the stock on my M1 Garand. I must say I really liked the way yours turned out. I also have to say, thank you so very much for your thoughts at the end regarding the memorials to our Confederate dead that are being torn down, and for nothing more than people's hatred and ignorance regarding the war. Between grandfathers, uncles, cousins, and men who married into the families, I have right at 70 ancestors I found thus far that answered the call of the Old North State. They left their homes and families in defense of Constitutional liberty and state's rights to face overwhelming odds. Many paid the ultimate price; all endured hardships and sufferings while maintaining the reputation of greatest fighting force the world had ever known. Placing their faith in God, our Southern soldiers fought for a just cause and the light of their accomplishments can never be dimmed or shadowed by any revision of history. I love my Southern heritage and am proud to be the descendent of such men. My fellow Southrons, let us always carry out the charge, Remember it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations. Deo Vindice [>

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

I found a 3oo6 parker hale in a field in a guncase. Its was my buddy's deceased dad's rifle that went missing a year ago. Im redoing everything on it because it was in rough shape. Its going to look good when done. This one is like my centurion i sold but the parker hale has a removable magazine. Exact copy of the rifle

[@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo]

Thank you. I have this exact issue with a new stripped walnut stock that is extremely porous _except_ for a few areas that are evidently harder, so I’m getting blotched light spots, and just using BLO / mineral spirits 50/50 gave an extremely ugly dark finish with those light spots. I didn’t think you could use pre stain conditioner on hard woods, but that looks like what will help. This is a military stock so I don’t want poly. Now I need to mix the stains and get that worked out. Glad to find someone with the same issue that came up with a great solution. 👍 By the way, I’m from California, but my family is from northern Kentucky 100 years ago, and I think it’s a damned shame those memorials are no longer politically correct. They are honoring heritage, not hate. Thank you for raising the issue. 🙏

[@222foont]

You got mad skills bro!

[@dlowman47]

Great comments. A lesson for us to keep in mind,

[@kevin-hw1nb]

calming soothing relaxing therapeutic too

[@kenbrown5449]

Truly an American Craftsman. Key word: American. God Bless.

[@daleweathers3552]

thank you so much for sharing your thaughs ,agree we need ro thank our fallen-----they gave all----for us !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Hunterslife315]

Beautiful Beautiful job my friend

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Run&Gun!

[@Dan_Akins]

Good message!

[@A.R.American1]

Just found this channel and subbed i like what you do

[@DC632A]

I’m getting ready to do this with an old savage arms Stevens model 94 shotgun. I’ve done this exact process on an older lever action with walnut finish. Your came out great.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks DC, and I hope yours does as well.

[@greggminkoff6733]

Just a thought !! You might try, after scraping and sanding the stock, to wipe it down with a liberal coating of acetone. This really opens up the pores of the wood. Stain your would immediately after drying, if you choose. Whether it is stained or a natural finish, using a 3x3 inch piece of compressed FELT, burnish the wood until smooth. I prefer to do it by hand so I don't burn the wood. Using a reasonable amount of pressure, a reciprocating movement with the grain. Then 4 to 5 coats of a clear finish. I prefer to do this on a tiger Maple stock. The finished result is amazing.

[@mdog1615]

A good way to maintain that finish is to make a Gunnys Paste : 1/3rd equal parts by volume of melted beeswax , turpentine and boiled linseed oil. Heat it all together in a double boiler then pour into a jar to cool. It will set like a paste wax , rub a bit in every now and then to the stock and it’ll look good as new.

[@outinthesticks1035]

Equal parts BLO , shellac, alcohol. Works good but need to machine buff

[@paulm7448]

Another great video and particularly interesting to me. I inherited a rifle chambered in 303 improved, built on a Winchester made m1917 action. The stock is a modified military stock with pistol grip and comb add ons very much like yours. I've been wondering what to do with it for years and you've given me some inspiration to see what I can do to improve the appearance. Thanks Tom

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Glad to hear that Paul. And I was just thumbing through that book The Modern Gunsmith by James Howe (written in 1934) and I just stumbled across a really short chapter that I missed before that described how to add the pistol grip and comb exactly as it was done to mine. I'm guessing he influenced a lot of people over the years?

[@paulm7448]

Seeing what you've done and understanding the reasons those stocks were modified like they were has given me an appreciation for what I've got and a desire to keep it despite the imperfections.

[@BlackHoleForge]

Thank you, I have never heard of sanding in your boiled linseed oil. I am working with red oak and white oak, and I think I can use that method to seal off the pores. I'm only working on a guitar neck for a cigar box guitar, but your tips are very helpful. Thank you

[@kelvynbettridge]

Great work… re writing our history is our longest standing tradition.

[@RedneckPunk]

I really like the gunstock stain by itself but recently I mixed gunstock with a mocha cabinet stain and it turned out gorgeous

[@mikemuenze5390]

Thank you and well said.

[@efrencarrasquillo1077]

Great video 📹👍 Thanks FTBOMH

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thank you very much for that Efren!

[@missourirebel9669]

For faded walnut stock I mix minwax walnut and cherry as each stock call for. Yields some very nice colors on walnut

[@fred6646]

love this guy, god bless him

[@Hubbahubba480]

Thank you for that sir !

[@rustytygart405]

Thank you this was a very good video I learned a lot

[@Buzzbomb57]

Being a novice at wood refinishing gun stocks. This video was ever so much helpful and educational. I'm presently working on an old Savage Springfield 840 30-30. The sanding is over and the first coat of ( Gunstock stain) has been applied. My problem is what oil based sealer to use. This video helped my decision. Oh and in my humble opinion, you can't change history by removing statues. Doing so only causes anger and resentment for the ancestors these statues were erected for to honor those who died fighting for what they thought were just at the time.

[@hettro-cv6082]

Nice job!

[@jimmyghersi]

Stock looks fantastic

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Jimmy, I'm working on the checkering now and then this thing will be ready for the field!

[@swkohnle08]

Freedom isn’t free. Men and woman sacrificed much and in some cases all for our country and our freedom. Happy Memorial Day Tom.

[@Dilly_Dilly_Dale]

Vietnam vets were tricked into fighting a war basically for corporations

[@chriswright8114]

freedom costs a buck oh-five

[@dinoquintana4319]

One thing for Tung oil is it is non toxic linseed oil and true oil are full of lead and arsenic.tung oil dries fast and shiny.you can finish salad bowls and butcher blocks with it.nice job on that stock very informative thx for posting.im looking forward to the checkering

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Dino, BLO can have some harsh stuff in it but most are reasonably safe and pure BLO is food safe as well. I need to do some digging to see exactly what is in the Brownells oil I'm using but I know it has some driers in it so it's definitely not pure. And I can't wait to see the checkering either. But at the same time I'm sort of dreading because I know that's going to be a slow tedious process!

[@MrVegasTube]

What grit on the sandpaper? Awesome video thanks!

[@skratch-do9nd]

With the current prices of original 1903A3 rifles and a lot of work, he took an 800 $ to 1000 $ rifle and ended up with a 3-4 hundred $ rifle.

[@robertpeters41]

I'm a muzzleloader guy and have finished many stocks using linseed oil. An old timer once told me that back in the day, when linseed oil was used on new wood, you were to apply it once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a year or whenever it got wet. I've found a linseed finished stock to be nearly water proof. NIce job on your stock.

[@peghead]

I would add after the 'once a week for a month' step, do 'once a month for a year' for a total of 23 applications.

[@ponga782]

Great video! Great work.. no history should ever be destroyed! Ever!

[@kevinfontenot4177]

Enjoyed the video and agreed 110% with the way you ended it.

[@gizmocarr3093]

The wood in your stock is likely been around twice as long. If you consider adding the age of the tree that the wood came from, it is likely over a hundred of years old easy. American walnut is much softer than Turkish Circassian Walnut. It is lighter but less dense and hard. It also tends to have better figuring and a darker color. I was hooked on using Turkish Circassian Walnut the first time I used it. You can buy highly figured Turkish Walnut but it cost a small fortune I never had. I might think you should have the recoil pad on the stock while you finish the stock. The best advantage to using linseed oil is you can always continue adding finish over years of time. I have seen linseed oil finishes that look like lacquer and polyurethane. It is a long process completely filling every single pour in some wood just using linseed oil alone. Linseed oil is a great benefit for checkering if you seal it as time passes after use. I can’t wait to see your finished product. I think you will be happy once done.🙂

[@jonlennon3348]

Where did you get that stock. I have never seen one so mismatched like that but in the end you blended it really nice.

[@k9six185]

I used that red mahogany on a Gerstner tool box…….I applied 3 coats of stain to get it all matching….the red comes out with Hen you apply the finish

[@mmgross144]

Try pre-coloring with a dye, which will absorb into the wood cells due to the much smaller particle size. This can help you reach the color of the original wood so that you can uniformly stain the whole. The dye should precede a preconditioner. And you are absolutely correct on your political assessment.

[@mmgross144]

Also you can add Japan Drier to your boiled linseed oil to shorten curing times.

[@donaldblankenship510]

Nice Job!

[@robertlevine8243]

Great video What grid sandpaper are you using ? Thank you

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

I have refinishing and refurbishing military rifle stocks for over 50 years. I have an 03, 03a1, 03a3, M-1, and M-1 carbine. They all have been finished with BLO (boiled linseed oil) and ever year get wiped down with BLO. It cleans, seals, and preserves the walnut. Foreign military rifle stocks I use tung oil.

[@louisrauzi3872]

Best of blo is you can stop at any # of coats for desired gloss. 30 coats on a Richard's stock 1022, like glass

[@billh2871]

To those who are missing never to be found. To those who gave all while asking nothing in return. You will always be remembered, honored and will live in my heart and mind forever. I salute you all.

[@cameronbartlett856]

Thinking about doing this to my SKS. I never plan on selling it so I might refinish it's stock.

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

That would be a great rifle to try it on! This one is almost finished now and I'll be putting it back together after I finish my 257 Roberts. I did hand cut checkering and it looks really good but there are plenty of mistakes and if anyone looked close they would see the mistakes but I'm still proud of it. And that's the great thing about mil surplus, they give us rifles that we can experiment with and learn on without having to worry about messing them up. I mean it's hard to mess up the finish on a mil surplus. But if done right they sure can look good.

[@rolandschroeder5108]

Yes Tru contains a bit over 11% linseed oil, 33% poly urethane 56% mineral spirits. But equal parts is a traditional furniture finish. The mineral spirits help to thin for penetration and speeds drying times

[@joeparker7508]

Fine job

[@TomRiverSimpleLiving]

Thanks Joe!

[@craigleibbrand7761]

Beautiful red