[Phaethon]

I took my Mauser to the range the other day (I'll post some pictures of the rifle later), and post-range I was washing out the barrel with some warm soapy water, and a few drops trickled out the back of the action and down the buttstock that I hadn't noticed, and consequently discolored the wood in their path.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/Spartan-048/Rifles/VZ-24/IMG_0563.jpg

I was a little unhappy with that, but I didn't make too much of it because they aren't too noticeable. As you can see the stock has a nice reddish color, but I can't tell if it's finished or just stained, or neither. If it's the latter, how can I repair that bit of water damage on the stock? I don't want to sand the whole thing; could I just rub some tung oil into it for a few weeks and have the discoloration disappear? I'm assuming that the reddish color is the natural color of the wood.

I appreciate any help because I've never done this sort of thing before, and I don't want to ruin the history of the firearm. Protecting it from any future damage by giving it a better waterproof varnish would be nice too; however, I don't really want to use polyurethane.

[zhyla]

I can't tell what you're describing from that picture. But water usually won't permanently discolor anything.

If the stock is currently lacquered then another coat of lacquer will solve any worn finish issues. What did they finish Mausers in? Lacquer? Shellac?

If it were me I'd probably just leave it be... I don't like spraying new finish on old items unless the finish is really all gone and the bare wood is exposed, which doesn't look to be the case here.

[Phaethon]

If you look to the right of that carved bolt channel in the wood, you'll see two slightly lighter streaks running the length of the buttstock. It's a little hard to see in the picture, but it's more obvious in person.

I also oiled it a little bit afterwards with some furniture polish that hid it a little. The stock isn't shiny whatsoever, and when running my finger along the wood I can feel the grain.

[788Ham]

Get a hunk of burlap bag, 12" x 12", double it over and rub the spot that bothers you, see if that doesn't help it. The subtle roughness of the burlap will more than likely remove the stain. Good luck!