Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Underwood Dilemma

  1. #1
    Senior Member captain_bob_badfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    SW Washington State
    Posts
    142
    Rep Power
    15

    Underwood Dilemma

    I purchased an Underwood Carbine recently with hopes of bringing it back to glory.
    The bonus that caught my eye is that it has a lot of early features. The downside is somewhere in it's past bubba got ahold of it. It has been 'polished' and blued and had the front site ears ground off etc.

    My first thought was to have it parkerized and make this little mouse gun proud.
    I'm a little hesitant as I might lose the manufacturer name and serial number stamps since they are now so shallow from the polishing.

    My second thought is maybe I should go have it re-blued and dress it up like a presentation piece. But this goes against the reason for purchasing it.

    The stock is stamped RSG and is a highwood. It has been lacquered and has several repairs. I think I'm going to try sanding it down this weekend and staining it to see if it is salvageable.

    Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.








    Last edited by captain_bob_badfish; 05-20-2011 at 02:03 PM.

  2. #2
    War Room Ready redheep's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Richlands, NC
    Posts
    216
    Rep Power
    16
    You should get it reparked, change the front sight, strip the laquer off the stock and oil it and enjoy it.
    Josh
    M1CC #628
    GySgt/USMC
    6116/0931

  3. #3
    Patriot Cal30M1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    In Vitro
    Posts
    746
    Rep Power
    22
    What he said. Don't sand the stock. Strip it.
    Photobucket

    "Opinions are like a$$holes. Everybody has one and everyone else's stinks."

    Cal30M1 , Garbageman Supreme

  4. #4
    Founding Member jak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Eastern PA
    Posts
    1,076
    Rep Power
    27
    Reparking should not fill in the name and serial#.
    Tim would be better qualified to answer that question though.
    John

    Don't worry if plan "A" fails, there are still 25 other letters in the alphabet.

    Looking for S/A bayonets s/n 922033 & 1045220


    Proud Member of M1CC #112

  5. #5
    Patriot paid4c4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    821
    Rep Power
    25
    I've had rifles parkerized with engraving as light or lighter than your rifle and they turned out well. A skilled parker will make that look like USGI issue. I would strip the wood and go over it with Military oX followed by hand rubbed tung oil. I've heard that guy named Tim Shufflin might be able to park your rifle and make it look nice.
    Bill

  6. #6
    Senior Member captain_bob_badfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    SW Washington State
    Posts
    142
    Rep Power
    15
    Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards sending to Tim but have to find a front sight first. Hopefully he'll chime in.

    Any recommendations for stripping lacquer? I've got some Military Ox and Toms 1/3 mix ready to go.

  7. #7
    War Room Ready
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Gatesville, Texas
    Posts
    243
    Rep Power
    16
    I use plain paint stripper, and a soft tooth brush, usually works good, but you have to lightly sand it after you wash the stripper off.

  8. #8
    Founding Member LEAD POISON's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Milwaukee
    Posts
    1,633
    Rep Power
    34
    Some soldiers ground the ears off there sights.I have seen a few like that.
    Μολὼν λάβε
    VFW life member.
    NRA life member.




  9. #9
    War Room Ready redheep's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Richlands, NC
    Posts
    216
    Rep Power
    16
    A green scrub pad and acetone. It will take you some work, but once the laquer is off it will be much easier to use some alcohol to finish the cleanup. If you use something really harsh, it will save you elbow grease, but probably damage the wood.
    Josh
    M1CC #628
    GySgt/USMC
    6116/0931

  10. #10
    Patriot melloman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    856
    Rep Power
    25
    Find the right front sight - make sure that the blade height is the same as the one you are replacing (assuming that it currently shoots ok) and send the carbine to Tim. He parked a carbine for me a few months ago and it came out beautiful. Like the others said, strip don't sand the stock. I like to use denatured alcohol and a lint free cloth, scrubbing gently to remove the old finish. Go easy or you will permanently alter the contours of the old wood and risk ruining your stock. If you find cracks repair them from the inside with CA glue. Be careful with the CA as it is difficult to remove when cured.
    "Are you my pal, Danny?"

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •