Applying shellac to a stock

[Slater]

I've got a Mosin-Nagant M91/30 that has a badly flaking finish on the stock. Amber shellac is the historically correct finish, and I'm thinking of re-doing the stock. I've heard that spraying is the preferred method for applying shellac, but would a brush yield decent results?

 

[enfield]

If you're not concerned with being historically correct, a hand rubbed oil finish beats any shellac or varnish for durability.

 

[Sunray]

Yep. Long ago, as a temporary measure, I shellaced my No. 4. It hasn't seen much use since, but the shellac is still there. No fuss or bother. Doesn't look too bad either.

 

[dfaugh]

Haven't used shellac

on gunstocks, but I have on antique furniture...Found that if thinned out a bit it "lays down" nicely when brushed...May take a coupla coats to get addequate thickness...If there are defects (brushstrokes, dust, fish eyes) you can water sand and rub it out easily...I do this even if it came out pretty good, then follow with furniture wax....

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I'll be using http://www.prevalspraygun.com/home.htm to apply some thinned out amber shellac and Behrens wood dye to fix Ivan's bad flaky shellac job on my latest Mosin.
BTW it is a M38 with the correct stock found on a Big 5 display rack.

ZM