Help With Finish

[levitanner]

I am working on my first kit a Pedersoli Harper's Ferry and its been coming along pretty nice. All I really have left is the final sanding, polishing the brass and barrel, and finishing the wood. But that is my question. What is the best/traditional way to do it. Its point is to look historic, so I don't really want a high gloss urethane type finish.

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[rabjr]

Its point is to look historic,

You going for the just off the assembly line look? Or a 200 year old antique look?

 

[Zonie]

Linseed Oil would be the traditional finish to use.
Unfortunately it takes a while to dry although exposing it to ultraviolet light will speed up the process. If you don't want to buy a light that gives off this form of radiation, the sun is a very good substitute.

The wood will literally drink up the first coat.
The coats following this first coat should be applied in very small amounts and rubbed in using the palm of your hand.

 

[Frank/Pa]

Get a can of boiled linseed oil from your local hardware store. It will dry faster than raw linseed oil.

 

[LaBonte]

Linseed Oil would be the traditional finish to use.

With respect, but that's it not exactly true, prior to the mid - 1800's the most commonly used traditional finish for firearms was varnish, either linseed oil based or spirit based.
A modern version of the linseed oil based varnish - heat polymerized linseed oil mixed with rosin, but not with the lead dryer used in the original varnishes - is made by Tried and True Oil - they sell three products, it's the Varnish that you would want - they are online.
It will be a bit shiny since it is a varnish (the commonly held idea that guns of the period all had a satin finish is a mistaken one), but it can be made less shiny by rubbing down with rotten stone and a bit of straight linseed oil on a rag. Most wood working suppliers sell rotten stone.
An alternative is Jim Chambers Oil Finish, another version of the traditional oil varnish.

 

[levitanner]

I guess in respect to the question about whether hot of the press or 200 years old. I would have to go with more of a fresh of the assembly line look.
I am going to get some linseed oil and try it out on a piece of scrap wood and see how I like it.
For an alternate does anyone have any suggestions on a good hand rubbed oil finish?
I appreciate your help
Levi

 

[jimmytheshank]

I prefer tru-oil and when it dries use fine steel wool to get rid of the high gloss. Some builders like tung oil. You might wanna try that.