Still foolin' around with Walnutz stock finish - PICS ADDED

straightshooter

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I recently completed my 6th Walnutz stock finish project. This one is on a 60's era AYA, a 12 bore boxlock ejector, with double triggers and a straight stock. The gun had seen use, but was still tight and in very good condition. Bluing fading in places; case colours good overall, but worn off on carry points; stocks nicked and scratched but not cracked or gouged. There was a bit of a mismatch in colour between the fore end and butt stock.

The processes that I perpetrated on this poor girl included:

  • ultrasonic cleaning of all metal parts with degreaser
  • stripping stocks of old finishes and stains
  • raising dents and scratches on stocks
  • refreshing stock checkering
  • re-staining stocks
  • refinishing stocks with Walnutz treatment (satin finish)
  • rebluing barrels
  • rebluing trigger guard and other furniture
  • refreshing case colours on bare areas
  • lubricate, reassemble, and test

I timed all the screws except one on the right side of the receiver that was already slightly overtightened.

Sadly, I neglected to take "before" photos, so I have none to show you. The gun was purchased from a member of this board, and he may choose to post before photos if he recognizes it. I could have emailed and asked for them, but the image host that I use does not allow the posting of photos not belonging to the poster (so I couldn't have posted them there even if I had them).

The "after" images can be viewed at:

https://img.gg/RQCK9dt
 
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Just a few samples of the images at the link above.
 

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I think we talked about this before but I'm not familiar with this Walnutz treatment you are using and a quick google search didn't yield any results. Who makes it and where do you get it? I'm assuming that it's making the "mottled" look for lack of a better word because the grain looks to be very straight otherwise.
 
I think we talked about this before but I'm not familiar with this Walnutz treatment you are using and a quick google search didn't yield any results. Who makes it and where do you get it? I'm assuming that it's making the "mottled" look for lack of a better word because the grain looks to be very straight otherwise.

Yes, that's exactly it.

I am the originator of this technique. I have been developing it and experimenting with it over the past year or so. I'm using field guns that come with very plain walnut and making them more aesthetically pleasing. I've also taught myself how to refresh checkering and case colours, as well as bluing steel. Put them all together and you have a pretty decent refresh of an old gun.
 
Great Job!
Looks fantastic.
Sure gives you a comfortable 'peace of mind' doing this to old firearms.

Thx for sharing.

Edit:
You stated "refreshing stock checkering"
Do you have a full set of tools, maybe thinking of doing full checkering on another rifle?
 
Yes, that's exactly it.

I am the originator of this technique. I have been developing it and experimenting with it over the past year or so. I'm using field guns that come with very plain walnut and making them more aesthetically pleasing. I've also taught myself how to refresh checkering and case colours, as well as bluing steel. Put them all together and you have a pretty decent refresh of an old gun.

It's coming back to me now, I had forgotten that this was your technique. Maybe you should patent it and sell it to a gun manufacturer!
 
Fantastic job bringing it back to beautiful condition. Great gun which deserved some love.

The stain pattern on the buttstock is subjective. If you like it, we're happy for you.
 
Do you have a full set of tools, maybe thinking of doing full checkering on another rifle?

I had what I would characterize as a half set. They were hand-me-downs and weren't as sharp as I would like. Still, they work fine for re-pointing or refreshing existing checkering. I say "had" because they're quite worn now and probably wouldn't be the greatest for cutting fresh lines.

I've been keeping a lookout for a source of new tools, but they're devilishly hard to find. I'll probably have to learn how to sharpen them properly and use the ones that I have.
 
I had what I would characterize as a half set. They were hand-me-downs and weren't as sharp as I would like. Still, they work fine for re-pointing or refreshing existing checkering. I say "had" because they're quite worn now and probably wouldn't be the greatest for cutting fresh lines.

I've been keeping a lookout for a source of new tools, but they're devilishly hard to find. I'll probably have to learn how to sharpen them properly and use the ones that I have.

There was a 5 or 6 pc set in the ee as of Friday evening...like nib.
Again nice work.
Rob
 
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