First off I want to thank those that are trying to help. I really appreciate it.
It my parents 55th wedding anniversary this year. My father owned a 760 deluxe 30-06 carbine from 1974 new till he gave it to my brother in 2008.
I am the youngest of three boys. My oldest brother died in 2006. The middle brother died last year in March and I am the last of the children still standing.
My middle brothers wife is a piece of work. She told my parents two days after the funeral that they are not her family and to never make contact again. Long drawn out story but I will never see my fathers gun again.
I decided to track down a 760 and remake it as a tribute to my dad and I found one. I had it stripped. Cerakoted and laser engraved. It was a 22" so I had it cut down to 18.5 like my dads for $150 and I paid 380 for the gun.
I specifically asked my cerakote guy if it would be able to handle the sliding action without deteriorating. Oh yeah it'll be perfect.
I gave him the engraving instructions and he went to work. Turned out good not show quality by any means and when I assembled the gun it all scratched to up just like I feared. $400 down the drain for that. Grand total so far $930
I ordered a Boyds stock and had it all done with the softest pad etc because I want to take my 74 year old father who had a stroke a few years back to the range one last time. I had visions of presenting him and my mother the gun and then taking him to let him shoot for memories sake then keep the gun as an heirloom.
It was done with their names and my brothers names and the date of their wedding etc. All of which is trash As I mentioned due to the coating.
The Boyd stock I ordered has subtle differences between it and the older 760 stock.
So at this point I said screw it and ordered a new 7600 carbine to put the Boyds stock on.
It arrives this week.
I'm now out about $900 and change and I'm out a few weeks of prep time. My father has been suffering dizziness spells and my mother has been having issues with bleeding on her brain and a knee replacement.
I gotta be honest when I say it is all very taxing on me. Especially when I'm not used to being the only one helping them out.
Best laid plans? I can't even explain the frustration to you all. But hey thanks for listening to my vent.
So now in for a penny in for a pound right? I want names and dates on the receiver. I want to add an engraving of my dads favorite flower and my mothers on either end of one side of the receiver.
Laser etching never cut into the metal it just burned away the cerakote.
I have the idea in a picture but it was basic for the original idea. I'd like something a tad nicer this time.
I'm not a rich guy. I have spent too much on this already, but to do this for my parents, to me, is priceless.
To give my Dad that day is everything to me at this point because I know it's just time until I can't ever do it.
I will research what I've been given and I look forward to any further leads.
Jeff
