One ugly rescue mission

[Electric Miner]

Not too long ago, my shooting buddy of thirty years passed away, I was going through my buddy's stuff for his wife, documenting what he had, and appraising it for sale, and came across an old CVA Kentucky rifle kit. It was one of the kits someone completely butchered.

Note the missing nose cap, and the front of the stock and barrel held together with a shoelace.

They basically slapped the gun together and smeared stain on everything, including the metal.

Now, it just so happens that I have a set of the hardware from a CVA Kentucky rifle floating around. I may even have the barrel in one of the bins in the garage. I certainly have the missing nose cap. So I am going to try and rescue this thing. Yes, ity's just a CVA kit, but I can't leave it like this, and if I screw it up, I haven't committed a grave sin.

 

[Kozmo]

A worthy rescue candidate! Share pics as you bring it back to life.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

I'm eventually going to look for a beat up flinter similar to that to try my hand at repairing. Not having built a kit or any such thing, I though rehabbing a weapon that was rough might help me build my skills. Hope it works out well for you. It could be a great remembrance piece.

 

[mooman76]

Worth while project. I have two of those CVA Kentucky rifles and they are good shooters.

 

[eggwelder]

I did up a mid `70s ardessa , looks a lot better, the guy i bought it from wanted it back. They can be made to look very good

 

[Cruzatte]

Looks like a fun project. Sure would like to see a progress report.

 

[Eterry]

I still have the one my Dad bought for me Christmas '79, I out it together in 8th grade shop class. Also bought another one for a whopping $75 from a friend, I need to shoot it. They usually shoot very well.
Keep us updated.

 

[Capnball]

Not too long ago, my shooting buddy of thirty years passed away, I was going through my buddy's stuff for his wife, documenting what he had, and appraising it for sale, and came across an old CVA Kentucky rifle kit. It was one of the kits someone completely butchered.

Note the missing nose cap, and the front of the stock and barrel held together with a shoelace.

They basically slapped the gun together and smeared stain on everything, including the metal.

Now, it just so happens that I have a set of the hardware from a CVA Kentucky rifle floating around. I may even have the barrel in one of the bins in the garage. I certainly have the missing nose cap. So I am going to try and rescue this thing. Yes, ity's just a CVA kit, but I can't leave it like this, and if I screw it up, I haven't committed a grave sin.

It may never be a show winner but if you make it right and it came from your buddy, then it's a blue ribbon gun every single time you shoot it!

 

[Electric Miner]

Found the parts I had for a CVA Kentucky rifle. Most of the parts are different. Different age rifles, I guess. The nose cap, which is what I really needed is usable. It just needs to be filed out just a bit to fit. This barrel is just a little heavier than the barrel it came off.

 

[Electric Miner]

Getting a start on it. I'm removing the glooped on stain, and at the same time filing down the metal to fit the wood. Some of the stain is into the wood so deep, I may never get it all out without radically changing the shape of the wood.

 

[eggwelder]

I took 1/2 pound of wood off mine

 

[Capnball]

Getting a start on it. I'm removing the glooped on stain, and at the same time filing down the metal to fit the wood. Some of the stain is into the wood so deep, I may never get it all out without radically changing the shape of the wood.

You can get some stain out using a couple different methods. I used a hit steam iron and a t shirt and I also used some acetone and a sponge. The steaming also removes alot of dents!

 

[Electric Miner]

You can get some stain out using a couple different methods. I used a hit steam iron and a t shirt and I also used some acetone and a sponge. The steaming also removes alot of dents!

I'll take a look at that.

 

[LawrenceA]

Looks like only minor if any damage. Should clean up well.
If worst comes to worst you can always apply faux stripes or a darkish stain and any remaining spots will just be character.
It is a Beech stock so you can't really use wood stain.
I am no expert but have used strong tea to get a mild brown on Beech and Aqua Fortis on Maple which is awesome. Don't know if AF works on Beech.
Also read you can use Wood Dye. Anyway suggest you do a little studying before attempting to color the stock.

 

[LuVerne Schumann]

That little bit of leftover stain gives it an antiqued look. I kinda like it.

 

[Capnball]

I'll take a look at that.

There's guys on YouTube using both methods. This was my 150 year old Bridesberg black walnut stock after using everything I could think of on it

There was a significant amount of damage to the top of the stock that I cut away clean and scabbed a new/old piece of black walnut onto and restored the top of the butt plate inletting

 

[Capnball]

I'll take a look at that.

Overall, I'm happy with the way it came out. It shoots pretty well also. Hers a before and after

 

[Fifty Four]

Aquafortis works very well on Beech, as do alcohol-based stains. Looks like you've got a great project going.

 

[Flinty Scot]

Have you tried Barkeeper's Friend cleansing powder Oxalic acid based) as a paste to bleach the stains?

 

[Electric Miner]

Haven't tried much of anything yet.


Missing nose cap is back in place.