Pedersoli Trade Gun build

[thomasgunn]

I’ve recently finished up a Pedersoli Trade Gun kit, though still waiting on a back ordered ToW trade gun “two-finger” trigger. Ordered the kit from Dixie, it took a week from the Monday I posted the money order til the following Monday when The Happy Brown ToyBox gentleman handed it to me. Spent many hours, previous to ordering, perusing every photo I could (online) and acquiring books on the Northwest trade gun to study the subtle differences in them. The Pedersoli kit is a good canvas, I replaced the thimbles, serpent, trigger guard (Track of the Wolf, thank you) and made the butt plate. Draw filed away all the barrel “graffiti“. Shaved the wood down, slight antique finish look. Weight went from 7.4 pounds to 6.8 (would have liked her a bit lighter). The barrel is an antique “pewter” finish I find very pleasing to the eye. Quite content with the results, about eighty hours of time.

 

[waksupi]

Looks good. Why not just make the trigger guard? Very easy to make.

 

[thomasgunn]

Looks good. Why not just make the trigger guard? Very easy to make.

While fully capable of making a trigger guard (among many other parts), I just didn't feel like it for this build.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

very nice build, really like the finish.

 

[thomasgunn]

very nice build, really like the finish.

Thank you, much appreciated. The stain is Dixie Gun Works "Finish for Antique Guns". I've used this product for decades on scores of firearms I've finished and refinished. Highly recommended. The finish is Tru-Oil. Ten coats. Lightly buffed between coats with bronze wool (steel wool NEVER touches my stocks or finish procedures). Finally, Renaissance wax.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Nice, your Trade Gun looks a 100% better than my Pedersoli. And your Serpent an easy 1000% better. BTW, where did you source the Serpent?

 

[pab1]

Nice work @thomasgunn!

 

[thomasgunn]

Nice, your Trade Gun looks a 100% better than my Pedersoli. And your Serpent an easy 1000% better. BTW, where did you source the Serpent?

The serpent came from Track of the Wolf. And thank you for the kind words.

 

[BigAl52]

Very nice job like it alot

 

[FlinterNick]

Great job ! Did the steel parts come colored ?

I don’t use wool on my guns, I use magic erasers when finishing between coats and to apply coats.

 

[thomasgunn]

Great job ! Did the steel parts come colored ?

I don’t use wool on my guns, I use magic erasers when finishing between coats and to apply coats.

The Pedersoli kit comes with a “protective“ bluing on the barrel (removed that and went with a “pewter/antique” finish which I like very much) the factory trigger guard was in the white (replaced it with a forged one from ToW and browned it). The lock has a case hardened finish, which I debated stripping off but have grown to really like. I only use bronze wool, no steel wool. The oil stock finish is applied by and with hand.

 

[Birddog1911]

Beautiful gun. Could I trouble you to detail your process/product for the barrel finish?

Also, may I ask why only bronze wool?

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

You did a beautiful job, congratulations on a great build!

 

[ohio ramrod]

Hard to believe you did it in only 80 hours.

 

[thomasgunn]

Beautiful gun. Could I trouble you to detail your process/product for the barrel finish?

Also, may I ask why only bronze wool?

I've used B-W Plum Brown for years with fine results. But for whatever reason, I could not get a good browned finish on the Pedersoli barrel. Figured 'Oh well (not those exact words!), I'll strip it and do it old school (controlled rust)'. Started stripping the barrel with Tetra Gun, hot water and bronze wool. Lo and behold, instead of the usual bare-ish steel, a beautiful dark (durable) pewter finish. A serendipitously pleasant surprise, indeed! I like it far more than a browned finish. I'll give it a coat of Renaissance Wax tomorrow. I have very mineral-y water and wonder if that may have contributed to it. Concerning bronze wool, it's softer than steel wool and far less likely to scratch steel or wood finishes. Plus it won't leave rust prone bits in stock wood pores. Hope this helps.

 

[Birddog1911]

Great info, thanks. Any chance you have a before and after of the forend when you trimmed it down?

 

[thomasgunn]

Great info, thanks. Any chance you have a before and after of the forend when you trimmed it down?

Great info, thanks. Any chance you have a before and after of the forend when you trimmed it down?

Here’s a Before & After of the whole trade gun:

 

[Birddog1911]

Where do you think you removed most of the wood? I think I saw you talk about it in another thread, and you said along the forend?

Every time I look at it, it gets prettier!

 

[thomasgunn]

Where do you think you removed most of the wood? I think I saw you talk about it in another thread, and you said along the forend?

Every time I look at it, it gets prettier!

Pretty much equally everywhere, wanted to keep a slim/balanced profile. Near future plans include purchasing another kit (once they're back in stock) and making a canoe/blanket trade gun, heavier on the vintage/antique look.

 

[Birddog1911]

Maybe you shouldn't look at their site...