A Veteran Applies Boiled Linseed Oil to an M1 Garand Stock Over 3 Days 

I spent two weeks stripping the finish (cherry stain and varnish - YUCK!) from the stock that came with the CMP rifle. I broke the rifle down to wood only, then steamed out the dents, and let all the furniture dry. I applied six or eight (lost count) coats of boiled linseed oil with my fingers, allowing a day for each to dry. My M1 is one of my most cherished possessions. Whenever I visit the range, I always say a silent "Thank you" to the soldier who first fired the rifle. He guaranteed my right to have, shoot, and preserve this symbol of freedom and liberty. God Bless and Protect our Veterans.

Personally I would have taken the stock off

We used broken glass sharp edge to smooth the wood and used hand rubbed boiled linseed oil to protect the finish. Many hours and many coats rubbed till our hands got hot. Best looking M-1s in the Company. We never used cloth. Semper Fi

Nice work. When I went through Battleschool in the Royal Canadian Artillery in 1986, we were issued the FN C1A1 rifle (the Canadian “Arctic Pattern” FN FAL). I hand rubbed linseed oil into the stock of my weapon until it seemed like you could see depth in the grain of the stock and butt. That beautiful wood positively glowed! It sure made it easier to keep her clean in the field, too. I would knock the shine down with a scrap of steel wool for camouflage purposes, then slick her up again once we were back in garrison. I wish my country had a Civilian Markmanship Program. I would love to buy an old Lee Enfield to go plinking or hog hunting!

Always a good idea. The parts next to metal parts and inside also need the Linseed oil as well. Too much of the oil on the metal parts will smoke under heavy fire so breaking the A1 into the basic sections to oil the stock has merit. Good job. She looks great.

Absolutly beautiful glad to see an old rifle of that era getting soke well deserved TLC.

Looks beautiful, I need to do the same to my M1. Just waiting for it to warm up a little. I’d take apart the rifle to make sure none of the inner workings are gummed up with the oil drying/polymerizing

I personally use Cold-Pressed Linseed oil since that was what the formula back in WW2 had called for. turned the Walnut a deep reddish-brown color.

Found a CMP Expert Grade H&R M1 at my LGS, stock was bone dry, got the gun 2 weeks ago. Applied about 5 coats of BLO since then, what a difference. A beautiful dark finish to a beautiful, iconic rifle.

I just picked up my RM1Expert from my FFL today, Garand #6 for me and it was also a 6 digit SN, 538XXX, Late April 1942 Springfield production date. Cleaned it up and after 5 rounds of Zeroing and 3 to make sure, took it out to 100 and pasted a 1.42" 8 round group of 168gr Hornady BTHPs pushed by IMR 4895 at 2540fps. I am happy with that new Criterion Barrel. 1st coat of BLO is drying on it now but I don't go as thick or polish them to gloss anymore because it turns gooey in the heat. Sure does look pretty though. I noticed SGAmmo had some PPU .30-06 150gr M1 Garand ammo a week ago at an ok price. Probably gone now.

When I got my Garand 50 years ago the stock had cosmoline over all of it from handling. I used Gojo hand cleaner and 4o steel wool to clean it. I of course removed the stock parts to clean it. Then over the next two weeks I hand rubbed many coats of boiled linseed oil into it. Using the heat from friction of rubbing to open the pores of the wood and letting it soak in overnight. Then repeated it again and again.

I made a Thompson Contender rifle 30 years ago with a 6mm barrel and formed my own ammo out of a 30-30 necked down to 6mm. The hand made stock was a walnut blank and I formed it to the receiver and barrel. The raw wood was finished down to steel wool smoothness and I decided on Tung oil finish. It was beautiful and I never had any trouble with it. I have a 40 year old M1 Garand but have never refinished it. If I did, however, it would be Tung oil.

Thank you. Just received my CMP Expert M1 Garand. Was trying to decide between using raw linseed oil, tung oil, or boiled linseed oil on the new stock. After watching this video, I plan on using BLO. Which works out, since I already have a container of BLO in the garage (used previously on milsurp rifles).

1962 issued m1 national match type ll, for a week after practice I would hand rub stock with linseed oil. In the end it looked much like that.

They only put the Linseed oil on them for 6 months during WWII because it would drip off during rapid shooting especially in the pacific. They went to ting oil it worked much better.

You’ve done a great job on that old war horse! You need a leather sling for her, she likes being dressed well!

My God what a beautiful rifle.....way to go!

I received a M1 Garand from CMP with the new CMP stock. Really didn't like the look of it but wasn't sure about applying BLO to a new stock. I finally decide to do it and it looks much, much better (just 2 coats).

I will be doing tung oil on mine, but dang now I'm kind of having buyers remorse seeing how good yours looks. Excellent work!

Looks great, if you apply with your bare hand and rub vigorously it will create warmth and penetrate deeper.

Great video, minus the lock.

Hello my friend. How are you? That Garand is looking ever so nice. Good job Army 👍👍👍. You've done that one proud. I've got an M-48 Yugoslavian Mauser. European Elm stock and they resemble Teak when properly sanded and oiled. 8mm same as the K-98 Mauser which it resembles. I've responded to you here before in case your wondering. Vietnam era Navy veteran and son of WWII veteran. Some years ago I was the proud owner of an M1 and happy for you that you've such a pristine example. I used to collect and clean up (cosmetically) WWII weapons. There once was a 1903A3, M1917 Remington, M1 Carbine and an Ithaca made 1911A1 in the gun safe in addition to a K98 Mauser and a Moisin Nagant. The other stuff was an AR-15 and some hand guns. Been interested in Airplanes, Muscle cars, firearms and history since I was a kid. Couldn't get my dad to talk much about his time in the Army in the South Pacific but WWII is one of my favorite periods of history. Did you serve in Afghanistan? My nephew is 12 years in the USMC and has done 3 tours. We've a great group of people in the military and I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet and talk with them. Well, I've taken up enough of your time here. Again you've done a great job on that stock. Looks nice. I'd be afraid to scratch it though. Take care and be safe. All the best to you and your family.

That is beautiful!

Very nice Sir. I just bought an expert model. Pick it up on the 22nd. I plan to reblue it and sand and oil finish the stock.

Looks great, I was wondering on taking down to the wood stock itself. I have a Service grade I got 7 years ago, and love the patina and just order an CMP Expert w/ new wood and barrel. I am still debating on not taking down and whipping or take down and do this in the computer room.

be super careful with the rags. linseed oil creates heat as it dries.

Thanks for the video, your M1 is absolutely beautiful. I got a CMP as a Christmas gift from my son. I love it, haven't gotten to the range yet but have disassembled, cleaned and lubricated, and reassembled. Am having a problem finding ammo. I noticed a yellow plastic tag, not familiar with that...I have the same lock.

...and heading over to Amazon.

Did you strip the wood on it before hand? Also any sanding? Or just got the cmp stock and went to work?

Hey, Just got a Springfield tanker m1a. Thanks for the vid. Have got the Springfield alum. mount and plan to put vortex strike eagle 1x8 vari. on it .With my peepers need all the help I can get. Have a great day.😀 P.S. My m1a also has the walnut stock. It just looks like it was ment to be.

Was this a new CMP stock? Looks great!

Is this a CMP Expert Grade? I pick mine up in a few hours, excited to hit the range tomorrow

So, I have an M1 that im wanting to apply some BLO to, for stock protectant etc, but im not sure how to go about doing it. Do i need to strip the wood? Or do i just apply the oil to the stock over whatever else was used before? And do you have any advice/tips for me?

I too got my complimentary lock in less than a week from the time I mailed the post card out last Tuesday! Did you sand or scuff your stock at all before applying the linseed oil?

Gorgeous! Not the lock though

Did you do any sanding prior to applying the first coat? Or between coats?

Did the rag soak up too much of the Linseed oil..?? Try using more period correct method maybe?

Should I disassemble the firearm first and only Linseed oil the wood or it okay to do it like yours all together?

Nice, now sell it to me!

Was it difficult to get the Linseed Oil off of the metal?

Everybody likes shiny

Sheese, another one. Take the barreled receiver OUT of the stock for this. And also treat the inside of the stock especially in the forearm channel... AND inside the butt plate both of which are at least (AT LEAST) as important as doing the outside of the stock. This practice applies to EACH - BLO, RLO, and PTO.

Any suggestions on doing it ? I don’t want to destroy mine ?

何のオイルですか？😃✨

Why not disassemble before oiling. It seems you could do a much better job.

Hey great work, I have a field grade, can I just apply the oil straight onto my stock or do I need to strip it first? Thank you for any info

How many coats did you apply?

Did you prep the wood and what did you use

how many coats?

No offense, but if you are trying to learn how to do a proper finish, you will need a video with words and not one of those sham wow type cloths. Music is nice though and so is the rifle.

i wouldnt be getting it on the metal

Tung oil is better..................

Ugh. Beautiful, but take the lock off.