What is the sticky substance on Finnish M39

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axman	What is the sticky substance on Finnish M39	Lead	[-]
Posts: 13 (05/30/09 03:02 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Alright, I admit my ignorance but what is the sticky, resinous substance they used to preserve the Finnish M39 in. It doesn't look or feel or tast (don't ask) like cosmoline. And how do I get it off safely without taking off the finish? My gun came wrapped in old newspapers and now I have newspaper pieces glued to the handguard. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks Axel x posted: I have posted a similar question in the stock cleaning section,
eli griggs		#1	[-]
Posts: 659 (05/30/09 08:40 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Does it smell like woodsmoke? If so, it's likely birch bark oil/tar. Eli "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson ~ "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity". - Albert Einstein WANTED - Lee Loaders - 6.5 Swede Mauser, 7.5 Swiss, 7.62x39, 7.62x54r, .303 Brit WANTED- Turkey and Goose feathers for fletching arrows
daengmei		#2	[-]
Posts: 322 (05/30/09 09:11 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I've got an M39 that has lots of dried brown thin crusty stuff, primarily on the metal. It doesn't seem to soften with mineral spirits so I just left it alone. Kinda makes up for the lack of blueing from previous use. The well used, oil? stained, somewhat cracked and gouged stock complements the crusty metal look I think. Don't smell much at all, not sticky and I have no idea what it is.
Pahtu		#3	[-]
Posts: 2251 (05/31/09 01:51 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I have some M39's and some of them have different finishes. The topic was fodder for heated debate several years ago. I don't know for sure & hate to venture a guess. I have one Finn 91-30 that has a sticky to the touch finish. Who knows what various small arms depots scattered about in Finland used to finish their rifles & also what individual soldiers used to protect their stock. Pahtu.
axman		#4	[-]
Posts: 14 (05/31/09 03:19 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Some more info: The way it is slathered on (sloppy) it looks like a preservative rather then a finish. A resin or tar preservative would make sense but then it should cover everything, especially the metal. But it just sits on top of the actual wood finish and parts of the metal. My main concern is using the wrong solvent and accidentally stripping the off everything. Been there, done that, don't ever want to do that again . Btw, the stock is a dark wartime stock with a Sako cartouche.
m1 talker		#5	[-]
Posts: 6765 (05/31/09 09:15 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Pahtu- yep, I remember those heated discussions about the finish and protective coatings the Finns used on their rifles. And how the stocks were supposedly stained with a potassium permangetate solution. Curt
Pahtu		#6	[-]
Posts: 2252 (05/31/09 09:50 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	"Pahtu- yep, I remember those heated discussions about the finish and protective coatings the Finns used on their rifles. And how the stocks were supposedly stained with a potassium permangetate solution. Curt" Back in dem days, I had a Tula 1929 91-30, a VKT M39 and a Finn 91-30, plus a few M44's. Now I have a few more. Some of those rifles have a hard nearly black finish. Some of the post war M91's have just about a medium dark stain & some appear to have very dry stock with a thin not dark finish. While some of my other Finn rifles have a pleasing medium dark finish patina that has developed over the years. Pahtu.
trautert		#7	[-]
Posts: 5262 (05/31/09 10:55 AM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Rancid reindeer fat? Tom Ne Desit Virtus Rakkasans
Pahtu		#8	[-]
Posts: 2253 (05/31/09 09:15 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	"Rancid reindeer fat?" No need to call ole Pahtu names.....LOL... Pahtu.
trautert		#9	[-]
Posts: 5263 (05/31/09 10:34 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ne Desit Virtus Rakkasans
zeebill		#10	[-]
Posts: 3612 (06/01/09 10:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	One thing above all becomes evident to me about Finnish rifles and what is on them. It varies greatly from rifle to rifle and time period to time period. I have so many different kinds of finishes on my collection it is mind boggling. Just when you think you have it figured out along comes another new one to confuse you further. Things like that are why I collect these things though! Bill
axman		#11	[-]
Posts: 22 (07/02/09 07:28 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thanks for all the help. Here is a picture of the cleaned up gun. Ended up just rubbing it down with MS and just adding a protective layer of wax Thanks, Axel
ParrisIsland79		#12	[-]
Posts: 221 (07/03/09 07:23 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Resin ah la dead Russian... That's a beautiful rifle, congrats. How 'bout some range groupings and target tales? Last Edited By: ParrisIsland79 07/03/09 07:26 AM. Edited 1 times.