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Rome

AL, that stock looks like a typical K98 stock that has see alot of action and handling. There does not appear to be any cosmo contamination, fortunately, but it would stand for a good cleaning.

A lot of the really "dark" color in stocks like this is due to the grunge that's accumulated over many decades. That grunge can be "legally" removed without harming the stock or the remaining finish. There are two types of grunge on that wood: stuff that can be removed only with a solvent and some that can only be removed with water. Neither solvent or water can remove it all. So, what I would first do is attack the water-based grunge.

Get some 409 or Fantastic and some 0000 steel wool. Just dip the steel wool so that it's dripping in one of those types of cleaners and just apply medium pressure on the wool on your stock. Scrub it with the grain like you were scrubbing a teflon pan. You don't want to really apply too much pressure but enough to loosen the crud. It won't take long so there's not enough water to affect the wood at all. You'll see a lot of black stuff coming off. That's accumulted dirt and grime that the cleaner will remove. Don't go nuts. Just rub it all down and then wipe it with a rag so it's dry. Let it dry completely for about an hour. Then do the exact same thing using a solvent like acetone or lacquer thinner. Denatured alcohol won't be strong enough. Don't use keroscene or mineral spirits because those solvents are too oily. Rub the stock with 0000 wool dipped generously in the solvent and attack the surface. Once you wash all that stuff off, wipe the stock and set it aside until all the cleaner has evaporated. What you'll be presented with is a stock that has a very dull finish and is much lighter just from removeing all the dirt and grime. Nothing you've done can affect a cured oil finish that resides somewhere on that stock.

Now you're ready to reoil it. You can use blo or tung oil finish, your choice. Soak a rag and generously apply the oil to the stock, let it sit really wet for about 15 minutes, then use a clean rag and wipe it down. Hang it or set it in the corner someplace warm so that the residual oil will cure up and let it go overnight. The next day your stock should be dry to the touch and ready for reassembly.

For the future maintenance just wipe it down once a year with a rag and some oil, just to keep it clean from your shooting use. That's it! Show us the finished product when you're done. You can email me a photo if you'd like.

Good luck!

Rome

Anything that is "embedded" into the stock I normally leave. Things like cross bolts tend to tear out since they are recessed. Since you're not being agressive with the cleaning, just leave 'em. Also make sure not to rub off any finish, however. Steel wool can do that.

Rome

Both carry either one or both. The tung oil finish material I like isn't available anymore, however. Poke around up top at the essays and you'll find some reference to materials we like. Just don't use 'Formby's' or any really thin material. BLO may be the way to go.

Glad you were successful. Don't forget an "after" pictue.

Rome