First Build - Jacob Dickert .50 Cal. Transitional Period

[McGuire2003]

@Zutt-man
I use all alcohol based stains for stock finishing. The mixture I used on this stock is a 3:2 mix of Chestnut Ridge Gunstock stain with Red and R Gale Lock Co. #69. That’s the base. I then added 1/2 part dark brown Fiebing’s and 1 part mahogany Feibing’s. It needed a little brown adjustment so I added less than 1/2 dark brown Feibing’s. Once I tested the color on cutoffs from the buttstock, I then cut the mixture 9:1 with 99% alcohol. Below, I uploaded the color change in coat order; 1, 3, 5, 7, 7 steel wooled, 8, and 8 steel wooled and wet oiled for three hours, then wiped dry.

 

[McGuire2003]

Clear pics after the first few coats of oil. The stock wood is no longer soaking the oil in, so all remaining coats will be very thin, hand rubbed, applications.

 

[McGuire2003]

Final fit-up before browning begins. All that’s left is to brown all the iron parts, engrave the patch box, a few more hand-rubbed coats of BLO, and final assembly.

 

[CyrusP]

That is a beautiful rifle! Wow!!!

 

[McGuire2003]

The Boiled Linseed Oil stock finish is coming up nicely. The more I work it, the better the color and sheen get. Just a few more hand-rubbed coats of BLO and I’m going to call the stock finished. Now just have to get the iron prepped and browned, and the patch box engraving completed.

 

[McGuire2003]

Rest of the pics.

 

[McGuire2003]

That is a beautiful rifle! Wow!!!

Thank you.

 

[McGuire2003]

Remind me to never play pool against you, because I think you’re hustling us

Can’t wait to see the final product. Well done

Thank you. Once the metal is browned and I do the final assembly I’ll post pics.

 

[ShootistJack]

McGuire2003,

You have to feel a strong sense of satisfaction with the progress you've made at such a fine quality level!
We're loving the exhibition of the steps!

 

[McGuire2003]

Lock has been disassembled, parts browned as necessary, neutralized, oiled, and reassembled.

 

[McGuire2003]

Barrel engraved as well. Will start its browning process later today …

 

[kaotikross]

Wow, you're quite skilled. Beautiful work.

 

[McGuire2003]

Patchbox came out OK … next to the original. Waiting on the screws to brown so I can put it back on the stock.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Looking good.

 

[olskool]

how did you engrave the barrel?

 

[McGuire2003]

how did you engrave the barrel?

With a carbide square hand graver and hammer. Tap, tap, tap … repeat. Drew the lettering with a fine point sharpie and followed the lines. Sharpened tip to a very short .030” heel.

(GRS Tools 022-618 C-Max Carbide)

 

[olskool]

thanks! that is good work,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[McGuire2003]

Interim browning pics. Barrel will probably need at least two, if not three, more applications. Like watching grass grow. So far, my least favorite part due to time consumption.

 

[Zutt-man]

I didn’t particularly like browning parts. Never felt like it was complete until the last session.

 

[McGuire2003]

I didn’t particularly like browning parts. Never felt like it was complete until the last session.

Exactly. Very impatient at this point, and I’m running out of time. Keep moving slowly, it is. Certainly can’t be rushed with at least 12 hour intervals between applications. I’ll get another go at it at 9pm tonight. So hopefully by Wednesday it’ll all be together. In the mean time there’s still a little detail work I can finish on the patchbox. A little shading is still left to do.