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March 4, 2018
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I have a replica model 1892 from Navy Arms that isn’t half bad and has American black walnut wood. To make a long story short I needed a project to keep me busy a few hours a week and have decided to refinish this gun to look like my circa 1907 Winchester 1894 sporting rifle.
I am looking to get that brownish red look when completed with a deep shine. I am thinking a reddish stain and a few coats of varnish. Any help on stain recommendation or other advice is appreciated.
Once the wood is done I plan to have the receiver case colored if possible. The original finish is case colored and it looks to be the real deal, not a chemical finish.
March 16, 2018
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If you want close to an authentic 1907 finish and color, use John Kay’s Winchester Oil. This stuff is great! DO NOT STAIN THE WOOD ! Strip your original finish and just use the oil for a hand rubbed finish. After about 2-3 weeks, you will begin to see the reddish brown color you are seeking. Follow the directions to the letter. Its a slow but rewarding process.
http://homesteadparts.com/shopcart/pid_1782.htm
You can buy it directly from the man that makes it on Ebay if you do a search.
March 4, 2018
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Thank you. It is exactly what I am looking for.
March 4, 2018
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Thanks for the advice about Kay’s finish. The stocks look great, although it is a slow process. It has been worth the effort. This is after 10 coats:
November 7, 2015
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Nice!
Mike
April 11, 2015
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Great job!
March 4, 2018
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Since I am trying to make the Rossi look like an older Winchester I have in my collection which has a shellac or varnish finish over the original finish, I custom blended a shellac finish using a 100+ year old recipe for guns stocks. It took some doing, but I figured out a way to slow the drying time and apply the shellac to the stocks to get the desired look:
I’ll let them cure in my heated safe for a couple of weeks and will post pics of the assembled gun when completed.
March 4, 2018
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I couldn’t wait any longer and finished assembly of the gun last night. I think the stocks look great. This project has been a stepping stone for future Winchester projects in the planning stage. 
November 7, 2015
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Good job! As a bonus the wood has nice color and contrast, very attractive.
Mike
