Maybe the cork is a Scandinavian thing! I picked up an FN action Husqvarna a few years back in 6.5x55 that had a cork buttstock pad.
The finish on the forearm of your Finnish, looks similar to the finish that was on the Husqvarna when I bought it. It looked like it could have been pine tar and I searched a bit and if memory serves (don't quote me on this one), found that some rifles were finished in pine tar.
The forearm on this rifle is wrapped in cork. The cork could have had some pine tar applied at one time in the past. Thanks for the info.
