laminated mosin nagant

[eagle eye]

my new addition a laminated mosin nagant, I'm tempted to leave the cosmoline on the rifle untouch, will this hurt of add the the value, I need you guys imput, however I'm thinking the cosmoline will make the stock darker.

[mauser98k]

i think you mean shellac. the cosmoline is the anti rusting goop covering metal bits.

anyway, i left the shellac on mine. some people remove and refinish so it's blond in color. i don't like that

[mls343]

Leave it as this is the way it was meant to be.

[eagle eye]

some of the cosmoline drip into the stock, I'm debating to leave everything on it like they store on the arsenals or just clean it and oil it and them store, what option will hurt or add value?

[mls343]

Clean it = good, add value
Alter it = bad, hurt value

Cosmo should be cleaned and can be do so with some kind of heat (my Wife's hairdryer is one of my favs...), elbow grease, rags, and oil.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Clean it = good, add value
Alter it = bad, hurt value

That's a good general rule. The cosmo should be cleaned off, but I'd leave the stock finish alone.

[eagle eye]

Let me put it this way If I were to sell the rifle 5 years from now and I advertise, never been fire, with the cosmo still in it, on the other hand if I advertise I cleaned and store, wich one will be more credible, wich one will sell faster?

[mosinnagantm9130]

Let me put it this way If I were to sell the rifle 5 years from now and I advertise, never been fire, with the cosmo still in it, on the other hand if I advertise I cleaned and store, wich one will be more credible, wich one will sell faster?

I don't think it would make that much of a difference unless it's something really unusual, like a laminated M38 stock.

[metalliman545]

You know how many millions of those were made? Unless yours has stalins signature on it, you probably have just a simple standard run of the mill refurb that will be worth the 129.99 you paid for it 5 years from now.

[Vlad 11]

Yea , there are better firearm options for investments/collectability if that is your goal.
IMO id say clean off the cosmo as it interferes with proper function and enjoyment of the rifle.

[S dot]

You know how many millions of those were made? Unless yours has stalins signature on it, you probably have just a simple standard run of the mill refurb that will be worth the 129.99 you paid for it 5 years from now.

+1 Not a lot of resale value for 91/30s.

I did store it in a sleeve with the sling attached and the contact from the metal did leave a mark on the stock. If you care about keeping it in good appearance might be something to consider.

To smooth it out I soaked it in some vodka then duracoated the stock soviet union red and the barrel sickle and hammer yellow.

[C&Rtrader]

You know how many millions of those were made? Unless yours has stalins signature on it, you probably have just a simple standard run of the mill refurb that will be worth the 129.99 you paid for it 5 years from now.

^^- this. Don't worry about reselling it. Enjoy it.