Correct finish for a Chinese Mosin?

[MrTokarev]

I have one of those Chinese M-44 copies and the thing had been degreased before I bought and cleaned the wood. So now I'm wondering what would be a correct finish for the stock.

Did they use the same finish as the Soviet M-44?

[Mr.Sandman]

yup they had a shellac finish.

[MrTokarev]

Even with the reddish color? The chinese was pretty dark when I got it, I thought maybe they had used a dark finish, unless that was all dirt and cosmo.

[yellowsled]

the wood on the T53 is very soft and easily soaks up dirt and oils. I suspect it originally was a ALOT lighter.

[Vlad 11]

the wood on the T53 is very soft and easily soaks up dirt and oils. I suspect it originally was a ALOT lighter.

I'm not sure what the actual finish is but i would think some kind of shellac.

Factory fresh T53 stocks are very nice with light blonde/orange tones.