Trapdoor Rifles

Update- I am working on it:). For a retired guy I sure don't seem to have much time to get things done.
I think I tend to go with the nicotine, smoke or something from inside a building - not rust or oils. This is based on the final outcome below.
I tried Carlsr's suggestion of kroil but with 0000 bronze wool. It removed some but not by dissolving it. More of elbow grease
Then tried paint thinner and then acetone being careful to not get any on the wood. No go.
I have a bottle of Uline cleaner and grease remover and BAM, off it comes. All these attempts were on small areas but definitely the uline stuff does it. This is why I believe it is smoke related. The uline product is strong enough to soften old finishes so next step is to remove the barrel and action and go to work. More to come with pictures after I do that

This is kind of late, but....

To clean stocks, if the wood is otherwise sound, use a solution of 4 or 5 parts water to 1 part Windex (or 409 or similar product) and OO or OOO steel wool. Dip the wool in the cleaning solution and rub down the stock. When the steel wool starts to dry, or gets gunked up, give it a dip in the cleaning solution. Be firm, but not aggressive. Wipe the stock regularly with paper towels to remove accumulated brown gunk. When you have done the whole stock set it aside to dry overnight. It will look really bad. Don't panic, this is normal. Once it's dry start applying boiled linseed oil. This is the original finish, don't be tempted to use something else, it won't look right. Apply several coats over a few days before reassembling the rifle. You will be surprised an all the muddy gunk that comes off, and the cartouches that appear.

Forgot to mention. This will make a big mess. I do it outside on the deck and then hose down the deck. It's good to clean stocks when your significant other will be out for a couple hours.

Tony Beck wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 1:57 am Forgot to mention. This will make a big mess. I do it outside on the deck and then hose down the deck. It's good to clean stocks when your significant other will be out for a couple hours.

You also forgot to mention it takes away any old original sheen /patina from the wood. And it will forever look boinkered with.

gew98 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 21, 2025 2:21 am

Tony Beck wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 1:57 am Forgot to mention. This will make a big mess. I do it outside on the deck and then hose down the deck. It's good to clean stocks when your significant other will be out for a couple hours.

You also forgot to mention it takes away any old original sheen /patina from the wood. And it will forever look boinkered with.

True, but there IS a balance point where the stock is so bad the 'original sheen' is almost meaningless. The art is in knowing where that point is. The sheen will come back, perhaps not for you, but some future caretaker.... Tony is not Bubba - I've seen his work....

Thank you Dick. It can be a tough call on whether to clean or not. But if you are stretching a cutoff stock or cleaning a black and filthy one, it's an easier choice. The method above does do minimal damage to the underlying wood. Here's a shot of my current project. A most unusual Robbins & Lawrence M-1841 commercial rifle. Nothing in it would pass government inspection, and no part has a government inspection or proof mark. Came out of a local SC family and was probably a militia unit purchase. It was completely coated with black grunge and had several chunks of missing stock when I got it.