Decorating a Stock?

[TLanoy]

Hope I'm in the right forum for this. :grin:

If I wanted to decorate my rifle stock with those brass tacks that you see on some, how do I go about doing it and where do I find the correct brass tacks? Thanks in advance.

 

[Zonie]

Track of the Wolf sells several different styles of brass tacks that are used for decorating things.

Check out this link
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/718/1

Other sources may be the local hardware store.

Some of the Upholstery Tacks can work but they often are larger than other tacks.

 

[ncmtmike]

Be sure to make pilot"holes" first,you just might split/splinter the stock :nono:

 

[TLanoy]

Thanks for the tip! Do I need to put any glue on the pin before tapping them into the stock?

 

[M. De Land]

The best decoration of any gun is good lines and fit of both stock and barrel as well as their proper finish!
All the other catch eye stuff won't make up for their lack. Mike D.

 

[TLanoy]

I understand that but, I just like to be different. I've got a Lyman Trade rifle coming and it is just a plain jane so, wanted to make it look a little different.

If it was a custom rifle, I wouldn't do something like that to it.

 

[cynthialee]

I think a stock full of well placed tacks looks spiffy.
I'd do it to my Renegade but I am afraid of messing it up.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Would suggest that you look through illustrations of original designs, etc. Some modern styling does more harm than good, stylistically...at least in my opinion. I've seen some folks really 'ugly' up a nice rifle.

 

[necchi]

I'm with MD an Wes on this one. I have yet to see a rifle with brass tacks that looks good.
I'd rather see an inlay or two or silver wire,, or even silver rod used as "dot's" than some lumps of brass or iron protruding randomly from the stock.
But to each his own :idunno:

 

[Swamp Rat]

When you get your tacks. Don't over do it, lots of tacks = Tacky. LOL. Wonder if that is where the term came from??? One suggestion is clip off the tack from the head so you can lay the head flush. Place them with a piece of tape inside the head so you can get a feel for the finished product will look like.
Here is my hardware store tacks, actually like the feel of where they are placed.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I did a tack design on the buttstock of one of my rifles and it turned out ok and I like it. They are permanent though and you can`t change your mind later and remove them (without having little tack holes in your stock) if you decide later it`s not what you really wanted. I don`t think I`ll do another one for that reason.

When I did mine I first drew out the design I wanted on paper. Then I took the tacks and stuck them in the paper to get the spacing and see what the design actually looked like done in tacks. Removed the tacks and taped the paper to the stock were I wanted the design, took a pencil and made a mark through the tack holes to mark were the tacks would go in the stock, drilled pilot holes and inserted the tacks with alittle glue on the shanks to hold them in place.

 

[matt denison]

When I did mine I first drew out the design I wanted on paper. Then I took the tacks and stuck them in the paper to get the spacing and see what the design actually looked like done in tacks.

Very good advice. Be sure you have an idea how many and where before hammering them in. - and drill pilot holes first!!

 

[Mickc01]

I say it's your gun and if you want to make it all your own, go for it!! But I for one want to see pictures when finished. hotoSmile:

 

[TLanoy]

My rifle won't be here 'til Monday but, will definitely post pics when it's done. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[tenngun]

I used to tack a lot and now I've moved away from it as it doesn't fit with my style any more. Buy your tacks from a ML supply house and not a hardware or wal mart. Lots of so-called brass tacks are brass plated and will ware off soon. Be sure to pre drill as stated above. I think it looks right on a westren gun, and makes a production gun a one of a kind.

 

[TLanoy]

I think it looks right on a westren gun, and makes a production gun a one of a kind.

Thanks tenngun. That's the reason I'm doing it. To make my production gun a little different from anyone else. Just wanted to add a little character to it. :grin:

 

[Wes/Tex]

Buy your tacks from a ML supply house and not a hardware or wal mart.

Oh Lord, yes! Don't ever use those shiny bright things from Wallyworld! TOTW, and others, sell the right style and in several finishes.

Have only ever done one large or complex pattern. It's one I saw on the trade cloth 'banner' on a Lakotah tomahawk. Using several sizes the original owner made a bear paw print with the toes each having tapering claw marks. Yes, it was rather complex and if I get some way to scan photos I'll post my ole snap of it...used an old Bess butt stock on a gun I'd chopped into a 'pony gun' and fitted with a real shiny, fringed hide cover. Used to show it off in the shop till some 'gentlemen' broke in one night and relieved my of the responsibility of looking after it! Still haunt gunshow and web sites...some day Ill get to 'rain' on someone's parade!!

 

[TLanoy]

All the tacks that I saw on TOTW are brass plated. I want to use real brass tacks. Any idea where to find the right style in real brass?

 

[matt denison]

All the tacks that I saw on TOTW are brass plated. I want to use real brass tacks. Any idea where to find the right style in real brass?

There is an outfit making and selling cast brass tacks, sorry can't think of their name off hand. Better get your wallet out though, they are expensive compared to the run of the mill tacks that you can get from TOW and others. I have used the plated tacks with no problems at all.

Everyone has different taste. If you want a real western type design then look at real western guns with tacks in them. You can do Grizzly paws or eagles of mushrooms and butterflies if you want but that will look really ..ahem.. tacky. Look for pictures of Indian guns, I M H O whites didn't tack their guns like the NA's did. Borrow or buy (if you can find one) a copy of Hansen's "THE NORTHWEST GUN" for some design ideas.

 

[necchi]

http://www.crazycrow.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=530-400-000