How to clean an Enfield stock??

[Bob S]

I have an old Enfield No. 4 that has a very dark stock. Parts of the stock are lighter, but where it has been touched the most, the stock is almost black. (Around the grip area and the cheeck pad.) What can I use to clean some of this black off with without damaging the wood. Please note, I don't want to refinish the gun, just clean up the wood. Thanks for any help!!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Sounds like it could be oil soaked wood.

Go to a hardware or paint store, and get yourself some powdered whiting and a can of acetone.

Mix into a stiff paste, and slather it onto the areas you want to clean. Set out into the warm sun, and come back several hours later.

If it is oil-soaked wood, the whiting will be oil stained. Brush it off, and repeat as often as necessary.