English Fowler Stock Stain/Finish

[bls4321]

Just recently picket up a nice half stock english fowler. Looks to be about 14 gauge. It is my understanding that when the original finish was applied to these guns there was stain in the varnish which makes for the dark walnut look. About 1/4 of the finish has come off of the butt of the stock and it looks very unsightly. Any suggestions on methods of touching this up?

 

[cptleo1]

This is an incredibly hard thing to do and have it match up.

If you are asking this question you probably lack the skill to get it done.

That being said - The only way to acquire these skills is to give it a try and hope for the best.

You don't mention if this gun is original or contemporary -

If original, I would get with Mike Brooks and see what he says.

If contemporary - give it a shot and see what happens - keeping in mind that you will probably end up stripping the entire stock.

If you end up needing to strip the stock, I would strongly suggest taking the stock to a professional furniture re-finisher and have them dip/strip it.

Probably cost ya 40-50 bucks and is worth every penny

Then sand and finish it your self.

Good luck.

 

[Birddog6]

IMHO, don't let anyone "Dip" it in nothing........ If it is old the whole dang thing may come apart, especially if there are any hidden joints or repairs, cause lots of those places put them in a vat & come back tomorrow & you get what you get, which is sometimes ate up.
If you need finish off, use a finish stripper & apply & wipe off, don't leave it on there. Or you use Formby's Finish Remover & remove it & steel wool it down....... Much safer on old wood IMHO. Lots of dif ways & opinions on this....... :hmm:

 

[Dave K]

Can't disagree with any of that. Plus, leave the sand paper somewhere else. Many, many old guns have been ruined by the use of sand paper. I am not saying that I use NO sand paper, but I use it very very little when doing a redo of an old gun. Sand paper can take away all the crisp lines of the gun, plus of course remove wood, that shouldn't be. I have found when stripping, that many times the dents that are in the wood get raised when the stripper and water flush is done.

 

[cptleo1]

You don't mention if this gun is original or contemporary -

If original, I would get with Mike Brooks and see what he says.

If contemporary - give it a shot and see what happens - keeping in mind that you will probably end up stripping the entire stock.

If you end up needing to strip the stock, I would strongly suggest taking the stock to a professional furniture re-finisher and have them dip/strip it.

Probably cost ya 40-50 bucks and is worth every penny

Then sand and finish it your self.

Good luck.[/quote]