Not snipery, but definitely antiquiey. I wanted a K11 short rifle to go along with it's longer 1911 brother. Found a few at Simpsons and made a road trip. Picked up what I originally thought to be low serial numbered (16xxx) rifle with a strong bore, some faded bluing, and nice tiger striping on a decent stock. Started doing some more in depth research and discovered it is actually a 1900 Short Rifle converted to K11 standards. The stock is stamped 1913, armory refirb in 1934, and later privatized. SIG barrel. All numbers match, and the inspection and proof stamps all point towards it being just that. A bit of a mutt with a history that would be facinating to fully uncover. Unfortunately, no troop tag on this one. I was fully expecting one considering it appeared the butt plate was most likely never removed. It's in pieces now, getting a good soaking and cleanup. Have to go VERY gently on the stock, as I do NOT want to risk removing any of that red patina that comes with nearly a century of oxidation of the linseed oil. Pics to follow. Took a few before disassembly.
New Aquisition
- Thread starter eicas
- Start date
Thanks all. I still have a bit to go on it, but that can be accomplished assembled I think. I really wanted to get out and shoot it this week to see where it stands. The bore was pretty good, but I did do some applications of WipeOut along with some plain old Hoppes and those copper infused felt pellets from Brownells. I had used those previously on a few milsurps and they work great a cutting through the fouling that certainly predates my conception by at least several decades.
Cleaning the stock I used a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil. Prolly 50/50...maybe a bit more turps. I just eyeballed it. I heat the stock with a heat gun, then apply the mix with a piece of that ultra fine synthetic steel wool. I rub small areas in a circular motion (maybe the size of your palm or a bit larger) while reapplying the heat. It seems to soak in and draw out the dirt. I wipe the slurry off with a shop towel and repeat. They usually start out coal black. When the towel is getting just the linseed mixture on it, I move on to the next area. It sounds like more work than it really is. The benefit (in my opinion) is your left with a fairly clean application of oil that is into the grain.
This stock has some water damage to the butt that is pretty typical of the Swiss rifles. I’m not sure how (or if I am even going to) be able to get rid of the dark areas. More than likely some will remain, which is fine with me.
Cleaning the stock I used a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil. Prolly 50/50...maybe a bit more turps. I just eyeballed it. I heat the stock with a heat gun, then apply the mix with a piece of that ultra fine synthetic steel wool. I rub small areas in a circular motion (maybe the size of your palm or a bit larger) while reapplying the heat. It seems to soak in and draw out the dirt. I wipe the slurry off with a shop towel and repeat. They usually start out coal black. When the towel is getting just the linseed mixture on it, I move on to the next area. It sounds like more work than it really is. The benefit (in my opinion) is your left with a fairly clean application of oil that is into the grain.
This stock has some water damage to the butt that is pretty typical of the Swiss rifles. I’m not sure how (or if I am even going to) be able to get rid of the dark areas. More than likely some will remain, which is fine with me.
