Henry Rifle Forums

Are Henry stocks just oiled, or do they have some sort of protective 'coating' on them? Looking at the stock on my .22 pump action, I can't make my mind up about the finish.

Any ideas, folks?

The finish on Henry stocks seems to vary by model. If your pump has a finish similar to my H001, it's nice, but it has a lot of "mud" underneath the topcoat which hides the true grain of the walnut. The lower end Henry rifles don't often have fancy walnut. Likely your pump has straight grain, but it also likely is very nice looking wood underneath the finish.

I have seen pictures posted of refinished Henry stocks, and the results tend to look very nice.

Both of my Henrys, an H001 and A BB steel, have some type of film finish on them. Not an oil finish.

When I first got my BBS Carbine, the stocks had what appeared and felt like a waxy substance applied...I'm assuming for shipping purposes. It easily came off after I applied a wood cleaner and polish; I'm of the opinion the stocks were just oil finished, with no shellac or varnish.

Henry's have a poly finish. I'm assuming the mud mentioned above is stain. I think it is probably a combo stain poly varnish.

A little automotive polishing compound, some elbow grease, and some furniture paste wax and they gloss up and shine like a new car. I've polished the wood on 2 of my 3 so far.