[Paul_Guraedy]

It's been a few years since my time in the Marine Reserves (about 45) and my carrying an M1 rifle. I suppose the stocks have changed along with the type of weapon; but, some things never really fade out of existence and you may still find some BLO (boiled linseed oil) around the area. It's still a good, cheap, wood preservative and I'll bet the Corps has not totally given up on it. I spent a lot of time carefully rubbing this odiferous oil into the stock of my rifle. Used in small quantities the odor is not so bad.......well, I suspect that there are many other smells around there that would tend to make folks not worry too much about BLO.

If you can’t get any of the other items mentioned, you might check around for BLO and give it a try until you can get something better. Just put a small amount in the palm of your hand and rub it into the carving as a sealer or on the carving after painting. It will give the piece an antique look and after a few days the smell goes away.

[Woody Things]

Can Bartley line of Stains and varnishes be purchased anywhere in Lancaster Co. Pa Thanks Woody Things

[torpidhummer]

Paul, you just keep bringing on old reminders of of my old 'corps' days but you are right about the good old smell of BLO on the rifle stock. My son is a career Marine and he never has heard of BLO, after all his rifle stocks have alway been made out of some type of man made materials. As for BLO, I mostly use it on all of my carvings,I guess old habits are like old Marines we just fade away. I have been buying my BLO at the Home Depot, they have it in pint and quart sizes.
Oscar