The M1 Rifle was originally manufactured with one of two finishes: linseed oil or China/Tung oil. Towards the end of WWII the linseed oil was supplanted by Tung Oil, a finish which was used, I believe, during '50's production. M1 Rifle refinished stocks were, however, generally refinished with linseed oil.
In all cases the finished stock was simply dipped in a tank of linseed or Tung oil for a few minutes and then allowed to drain dry.
Garand stocks that come from the CMP, whether as parts or on a rifle, are often coated with that sticky goo called cosmoline. Even those that are not are likely to be oil soaked or stained in one area or another.
Here's what I do. To strip the old finish and remove oil & dirt, I use Easy-Off Oven Cleaner (the Heavy Duty variety). Spray it on, let it soak for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse off with very warm water while scrubbing with a Scotch-Brite pad. Usually one go with the Easy-Off is sufficient, but I have had to repeat the treatment up to twice more.
When the stock has dried I follow up with a coat or two of Minwax Natural Stain (unless I'm getting creative) and finish with two or three coats of Minwax Tung Oil finish. Minwax Natural is clear; it simply seals the grain.
Except in extreme cases the strongest abrasive I will use is 00 steel wool. Usually a mild going-over with 00 before and after the first coat of Natural stain, then 0000 thereafter. I use my thumb to cover the cartouche and Proof stamp, in turn, to assure I don't further degrade it.
I repeat the process with the Tung Oil; after buffing damp (10-15 minutes after application) with a balled-up nylon stocking or pantyhose (really!), allow drying for 24 hours then buff with 0000 steel wool. After the second coat, buff with 0000. After the last coat, buff with the stocking.
The result looks military but is more durable. I've done more than a dozen M1 and M14 stocks this way, with total satisfaction. If you're able to attend the OGCA shows (e-mail me if you wish to be sponsored as a guest), stop by the GCA booth. I generally have my CMP rifle and my wife's CMP rifle there, refinished with this method.
M1 Garand Books
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Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse List Price: Sale Price: $9.25 You save: $5.70 (38%)  |
DescriptionAmerica faces a full-scale socioeconomic collapse—the stock market plummets, hyperinflation cripples commerce and the mounting crisis passes the tipping point. Practically overnight, the fragile chains of supply and high-technology infrastructure fall, and wholesale rioting and looting grip every major city... |
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The Ultimate Sniper: An Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers List Price: Sale Price: $37.75 You save: $22.25 (37%) |
DescriptionFind out why professional snipers, sharpshooters and long range riflemen consider The Ultimate Sniper to be the bible of their craft When John Plaster's The Ultimate Sniper was released in 1993, it was hailed as an instant classic in the sniping community, influencing an entire generation of military and police marksmen around the world... |
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1911 The First 100 Years List Price: Sale Price: $14.99 You save: $15.00 (50%) |
DescriptionIn 1911, the history of firearms changed forever with the adoption of the greatest pistol ever designed, the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 - known today simply as the 1911. Now, in one fascinating, illustrated volume, authority Patrick Sweeney celebrates the 100th anniversary of the greatest fighting handgun ever designed, John M... |
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The Mosin-Nagant Rifle, 5th Edition (For collectors only) List Price: Sale Price: $15.40 You save: $7.55 (33%) |
DescriptionAlthough the Mosin-Nagant rifle was in use for more than sixty years by half the world's military forces, no book in the English language has ever traced its development and identified all its models and variations as manufactured around the world, including in the United States... |
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Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide List Price: Sale Price: $16.49 You save: $16.50 (50%) |
DescriptionYour One-Volume Guide to Collectible Military Firearms! It's Standard Catalog of Military Firearms, 6th Edition! If you collect military firearms, your best insurance policy is to know what you're collecting and how much it's worth... |
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