At the start of the shooting season you may be taking your shotgun out of the gun cabinet and considering the best way of polishing up the gun stock shine. Sometimes the wood can become a bit dull.  It can take a few weeks’ work to make your gun look its best so here’s what to do now.

Reviving gun stock shine

Find out how the stock was finished in the gun factory. Don’t use gun oil if it was varnished. Instead buff the wood up with a spot of beeswax furniture polish (don’t use synthetic spray polish) on a clean soft cloth. A very small amount of beeswax will do.

A spot of old-fashioned beeswax is best for varnished stocks

On the other hand if the stock was finished with oil then you can restore it with some stock oil. Buy it from your local gunsmith. Ask for tips on how to achieve the best finish.

Commonly available brands include CCL, Trade Secret, and Napier, while Browning Legia spray is quite good for a quick job. Never use mineral lubricating oil on wood. All stock-finishing oils should be of vegetable origin.

The secret is to apply a very thin coat – don’t slap the oil on. One drop in each side should do it. Let it dry out before you apply more.  Achieving a good finish can take several weeks so start early and be patient.

• Use minimal amounts (and nothing at all on the chequering)
• Don’t use modern spray furniture polishes as many contain a solvent which may damage the oil finish.

Can I disguise scratches with stock oil?

A: Lacquered or varnished stocks do tend to show the scars of honourable combat worse than stocks with oil finishes.

If you oil a lacquered stock, none of the oil is absorbed and it tends to remain on the surface in a sticky form for ages. During that time it can pick up dust too. Sticky and dusty – not very appealing.

Instead, as suggested above, try using a little wax furniture polish, followed by buffing with a clean, dry cloth.

Handy step-by-step guide to repairing a scratched stock

Is it possible to bend a shotgun’s stock?

Yes, but it’s difficult and should be left to a professional gunsmith

• Wood is an unpredictable material.
• An invisible internal defect can cause a disaster.
• Assessing the grain beforehand is vital as it is not possible to bend a stock which has been cut with a short grain through the hand.