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Previewing "The USGI Wood" What's Better?

6K views 34 replies 30 participants last post by  Mrmazda7 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi Everyone,

I am previewing (7) relatively recent USGI stock refinishes from my shop. I will provide some information about each stock and will note if they will be up for adoption. Some of the stocks come from my runs to Fred’s, others I have acquired on our own PX or elsewhere and completed full refinishes on the stocks. If you have any special USGI stocks you are looking for I may have something [I have ~50 stocks in my shop ranging from Elite to budget level] – in both Big Red or Standard Size. I don’t post that often on the PX as many just contact me for and we work on a project, but I will be posting some on the PX in the future as I continue to refinish my inventory. Lastly, in some of the pics [i.e. the stocks shot outside on the steps] – you will see a straight dark vertical line – this is the shadow cast by the op rod – the sun was just at the right angle to make the shadow.

I hope you enjoy the pics - M1Army

All photo credits go to my Step Son AKA "Johnny Ringo" on our forum!

Stock #1 SOLD– Amazing H. Sacks & Sons Inc. Big Red Birch stamped ^S-11010263 under the butt plate. This stock is in “my top two” of ANY Raw Birch Stock I have personally picked. Note the horizontal downward grain pattern which I have not seen often! This stock is fiery and throws - off many different colors when you get it outside in natural light. The refinish is a 4 stain Stew Mac Mix and teak oil finish. This stock was a great project [This stock also has a DoD Stamp and proof P in round circle not just the “P” or a “P in a square” which would be an arsenal rebuild]. I have seen VERY few with both Markings which makes this stock even better. This stock is SOLD and will be living with a forum member in New Mexico.






Stock # 2 - is a beautiful Winchester Big Red Birch stamped WW-11010263 under the butt plate. This stock has beautiful figuring/striping and contrasts dark birch grain and deep amber undertones. This is one of my stocks from my last run to Fred’s. I used teak oil and a 3 stain Stew Mac Stain combination to highlight some of the dark birch grain, then I applied a second stain Vintage Amber to highlight the beautiful Birch straight grain. This stock is available for sale.






Stock #3 SOLD – is another beautiful Winchester Big Red Birch stamped WW-11010263 under the butt plate. I used teak oil, Tobacco Brown, Vintage Amber and a mix of Red Cherry & Mahogany on this stock. I previewed this stock recently, but due to some changes with customers and stock choices this stock is now available for sale. I know the stock ferrule is not on this stock [but no worries] it will be!




Stock #4 – is a beautiful heavy striped standard sized Walnut. This stock was difficult to photograph and looks different depending on light conditions. The striping magically appears and disappears depending on light and angles. I previewed this stock too, but again a customers final choice left this available. This stock is finished in teak oil.




Stock #5 Sold– is a classic Winchester Big Red Birch stamped WW-11010263 under the butt plate. This stock has beautiful grain and classic lines but no heavy figuring. I like the heavy figured stocks as much as anyone, but once I completed this Big Red and locked it up – I was reminded how beautiful and clean a nicely grained big red stock is when refinished. If you like a nice clean look this will make your M14/M14 look beautiful. The finish is tobacco brown with Cherry red and teak oil. This stock is available for sale.





Stock #6 – is a H. Sacks and Son’s Big Red Birch stamped ^S 11010263 under the butt plate. I don’t normally name stocks but this one is a “BRUTE.” This stock takes on many different colors but just has a “mean” interesting look! You can see some of the amazing grain colors in the photos [and in person it is unique]. I used a combination of Stew Mac Colors [this means I really mixed it up!!] to highlight the interesting grain patterns and the stock is finished with teak oil. This stock is available for sale.





Stock #7 – is a Beautiful heavy grained standard sized Walnut. The stock has a pin punch ferrule but no other markings on the stock or under the butt plate. I found this stock on the PX and no one was very interested [maybe because seller posted "not so good" pics etc.] but it is one unique looking stock. This stock was finished using teak oil and is available for sale.


 
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#3 ·
Beautiful work by our Creator; and by you making them pop!
 
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#8 ·
very nice thanks for sharing
Lruss
 
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#18 ·
Agree, all are very nice stocks and the photography is very good as well, but nothing compares to seeing one of these stocks in the sunlight, the grain just lights up and glows---I know because I was the lucky recipient of #1 and couldn't be happier--it really is a work of art---Thanks Wes. Pictures are forth coming.
 
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#22 ·
I think that #1 is just truly outstanding! I'm normally a figured walnut kind-of-guy, but that striped birch is just beautiful.
 
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#25 ·
Hi All,

I have had a lot of PM's asking me about what I call 3 or 4 stain combination in my stock descriptions and how that is actually done.

The basic question is - do I mix stains i.e. individual colors and apply them in Layers or do I actually mix multiple colors together [combined] to have a base stain etc.?

Basically - I only use stain on the birch stocks [every now and again on walnut if it's washed out]. When I get a raw stock I look at grain, figuring and generally have an idea of what I want to do in terms of stain. I use concentrated stains that I mix with denatured alcohol and almost always initially mix a combination of stains together to make my "Base" stain - it might be 3 - 4 colors. I apply the stain and may add color as I go along but to me it is still the base stain that drives the majority of the ultimate stock color. Then in some cases I do Layer single colors [most of the time Vintage Amber or similar] that will provide a strong contrasting color to the base stain - which can make other grain colors pop better.

So long story short I do mix stain colors together and also layer single colors. I guess I have found over many refinishing projects you just adjust to what the stock seems to like [and they all seem to be different]. The alcohol based stains are really good with birch as you can keep adjusting color all along the refinish process. I would be lying if I did not admit I have saved "many stain combinations" that were tied to specific stocks to easily re-create the base stains. As some know, I have come up with stock "different colors" but that is part of the fun!

I hope this helps answer the PM's I received.

M1Army
 
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