Floor Stain Removal

We have a house circa 1955 with wooden oak floors. This was covered with carpet for years, etc.

I took off the carpets and the wood is in fairly good shape. I took my hand sander and just gave a piece a try and the coating came off fairly well and got down to bare wood easily. I'm 'assuming' (gulp) I can use an ordinary belt sander and elbow grease to do the rooms one at at time.

My question is concerning the stain or shellac or whatever it is on the floors. One room is in really good shape and we like the character of the floor and will leave it alone. I do however have to add a floor edging here and there etc. My question is:

What is the stain on the floor now? It's circa 1955...that standard goldish color that I've seen on floors all over the country. Is it a stain? varnish? shellac? Was there a standeard process of finishing these floors mid 50s (they sure were excellent craftsmen).

Thanks

 

You will be disappointed with using a belt sander.
Check the rental places for a disc or belt sander.

fred