Brand new 1989 SKB ducks unlimited Canada

L

lannard

Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
Winchestertonfieldville
Good day, so i have a problem. I just acquired a brand new never fired Skb 1300? Ducks Unlimited Canada 12g shotgun. It is in 100% shape, still has packing grease. The problem i have is: do I keep it brand new, flip it for some fast cash, and buy another autoloader? Or do i use it cause i paid so very little for it? Thanks guys

i wish i could figure out pictures.
 
Last edited:
Hmmmm I don’t think you want to keep it. I mean I would take it off your hands for what you paid plus some for your trouble but only because it’s from my birth year and that would be cool not because it’s worth much...........(yes 100% sarcasm lol) nice find, I don’t know how much “so very little” was but sounds like a lucky find. As far as what to do with it that is totally up to you. But 1989 was indeed a good year! I would keep it myself for the reason stated above but that is just me.
 
Falconflyer said:
The 1300's are generally considered to be pretty good guns as far as I know but few DU guns appreciate that much in value so I'd decide whether I wanted to shoot it or sell it and go with that.
Click to expand...

well you see the issue im having is just that... so i shoot it or sell it. it is pretty, the furniture is beautiful imo grade 2/3 with cut checkering and a slight palm swell. the engraving is laser and not too much detail but it is there. not a speck of rust on it at all. one choke and the plug.

considering the cost of a new autoloader with wood stocks, i would have to make alot of $$ in order to replace it.
 
So you've ruled out keeping it unfired as a collector firearm. The decision would be easy for me but I see your dilemma, sounds like you have a use for it and you don't want to shell out more money on a replacement. Then shoot it, enjoy it and every time some one asks why you are shooting a DU gun tell them it's because it's just a gun and you like it!
 
I’ve owned several DU guns from run of the mill supper guns to very limited number sponsor event guns. They are not worth one dime more than the same models put out by the manufacturer without DU embellished on them so your SKB 1300 is worth whatever an unfired 1300 is worth so it’s up to you to decide if you want a few extra $ to put towards a new gun or use it and maybe one day sell it for the used value? Personally, I’ve shot all mine. I don’t see the point in not shooting them? Might as well enjoy the fruits of ones labour! As a side note I have been shooting a DU 50th 101 of which only 145 were made that left the factory as a pigeon grade with highly select grade 5/6 wood for 30 years now and enjoyed every single day afield or at the skeet range with it. It’s my favorite shotgun I’ve owned. Go enjoy your new gun!
 
Last edited:
Well you could first try selling it, as someone else may want one. Pick whatever price you need to buy the autoloader you'd have to buy otherwise, and if it doesn't sell then go ahead and use it. Would make a nice range gun. Just treat it well in the field.
 
Well, thanks to everyone whos replied, it seems that i wont be selling it. i have been wanting to giver a test run anyways, so why not. like always, CGNners know what direction i want to go in, i just need a little kick.
 
I say go use it. SKB semi’s dont command high values, so you’re not really doing a disservice to the gun by using it. I also want to point out that SKB was known for using plain walnut for their stocks and had artisans paint on fake woodgrain before they added the finish. So that nice walnut you’re seeing is actually something a skilled artisan created.
 
1963beretta said:
I say go use it. SKB semi’s dont command high values, so you’re not really doing a disservice to the gun by using it. I also want to point out that SKB was known for using plain walnut for their stocks and had artisans paint on fake woodgrain before they added the finish. So that nice walnut you’re seeing is actually something a skilled artisan created.
Click to expand...

That is an interesting little tidbit! I don't see how paying an artist to fake wood grain would be cheaper. However, I can see that the cut checkering is in to the wood, and well within the grain. also visible when the stocks are removed. I'm not saying that that is not a thing, but after seeing this post I had a closer look at my shotgun, and the wood grain is definitely not paint.
 
lannard said:
That is an interesting little tidbit! I don't see how paying an artist to fake wood grain would be cheaper. However, I can see that the cut checkering is in to the wood, and well within the grain. also visible when the stocks are removed. I'm not saying that that is not a thing, but after seeing this post I had a closer look at my shotgun, and the wood grain is definitely not paint.
Click to expand...

I have several in the house that I have refinished and have sold several more over the years. I have never found any paint and in fact found the natural grain to pop once relieved of the factory finish.
 
1963beretta said:
I say go use it. SKB semi’s dont command high values, so you’re not really doing a disservice to the gun by using it. I also want to point out that SKB was known for using plain walnut for their stocks and had artisans paint on fake woodgrain before they added the finish. So that nice walnut you’re seeing is actually something a skilled artisan created.
Click to expand...


lannard said:
That is an interesting little tidbit! I don't see how paying an artist to fake wood grain would be cheaper. However, I can see that the cut checkering is in to the wood, and well within the grain. also visible when the stocks are removed. I'm not saying that that is not a thing, but after seeing this post I had a closer look at my shotgun, and the wood grain is definitely not paint.
Click to expand...


I heard this said of my 101 by a certain member on here years ago until a mutual gunsmith friend laughed at him when the subject was brought up however it is done today by Beretta using the dipping process the same as camo dipping. If you see a Beretta advertised with their “extra wood” feature it is a plain stock dipped in a figure image film.
I’ve seen a couple of the “extra wood” Berettas. It’s not hard to tell it’s fake. There is no change in colour, shape etc of the grain as you move the stock and look from various angles the way real wood grain changes with movement and light. It only looks good from a straight on broadside view.
 
Yes it was done on Japanese made models
The SKB factory in Japan had workers that would used various shades of black /brown India inks to paint marble cake figure and grain lines on the plain blond English walnut they used.
Cheers
 
Falconflyer said:
The enhanced wood thing is pretty well documented on SKB/Ithaca 280's but I don't know about other models of SKB's.
Click to expand...

I was just looking on shotgunworld in the SKB forum and from what I can find it appears to have been on the semi’s. The double guns appeared to be true grained wood and in some of the pics there was some real fine grades used. There are picture with recoil pads or butt plates removed to show the grain running through the wood. One fellow said all the semis he refinished had an outer finish he could not identify and once removed the wood underneath was a strange green colour.
 
It was very common to find painted on woodgrain on SKB semi's. Whether the OP's gun has it or not, I cant say. But all Japanese made SKB's that I've seen have this faux woodgrain. Not so much on the double guns
 
It was not just semi's. If they use the clear blond english walnut it looked like a piece of paper coated if they didnot enhance it
There is nothing wrong with it and it is still a form of walnut just with a fake grain
As one guys says just like there is nothing wrong with a boob job but it is still fake
Cheers
 
Last edited:
I have 2 XL 900s. On one I had to repair a big chip which meant complete strip, sand and hand oil/polish. Nothing fake on it. Beautiful woodgrain with excellent figuring. Will be doing the same on the second as it too has the "SKB chip" in the wrist on left side right behind trigger guard. This one also has a beautiful grain to it....no painted fakery here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom