Ugly Stained Stock

[acavdragoon]

I have a dark ugly stained portion of a French flintlock musket that I’m not sure how to attack. Not wanting to sand it, then again not sure that would remove or lighten the stain. Any ideas on what to do about it?

 

[1950DAVE]

Enjoy it.

 

[andy52]

I'd leave it just as is.

 

[wiscoaster]

There's nothing you can do to completely eliminate that short of completely refinishing the stock, and I don't really think you want to do that. It would ruin it, of course. But you might try a little Murphy's Oil Soap and hot water, lightly and judiciously wiping and rubbing to clean and degrease it, which should lighten it up a bit.

 

[waksupi]

I like it as-is. Some people go to a lot of work to gain that appearance.

 

[Cruzatte]

I'm with the leave-it-alone crowd. It shows honest wear.

 

[yellowhammer]

I wouldn't mess with it, myself, except maybe clean exterior grime and wipe it down occasionally.

 

[acavdragoon]

I understand that Oxalic Acid will take the black water stains out of wood, I might try that. Anyone used that?

 

[TDM]

Soak a soft cloth with 91% isopropyl alcohol and rub the area. That should tone it down some. Don’t get too aggressive.

 

[bpalbee]

I'd leave it just as is.

I was thinking that too, it gives an impression of looking fairly authentic for a military arm of that era.

 

[hawkeye2]

If that's an original leave it as is.