I have a Tanegashima (Japanese matchlock) that was smoke and water damaged in a fire. It is well-used and missing some parts. I've replaced the missing (bamboo) barrel pins and two brass pins that hold the lock mechanism into the stock.
It is missing the ramrod; I'm making one of modern design so I can remove the ball and powder load that seems to be present.
It is missing the pan cover and barrel protector as well as the cheek stock brass end plate.
It has a fair amount of inlay and is missing one inlaid piece around one side of one barrel pin hole.
I'll be trying to make all the missing parts myself. In addition, having used Simple Green degreaser to get most of the soot off, I need to restore the stock finish as it was doubtless damaged by the soot/removal.
Don't bother hollering at me that I have diminished its collector value. It lost much if not most of that in the fire. :td: The soot was so bad that I could not even tell there was brass inlay on the bottom. It had to be cleaned.
My main questions concern the stock. I don't want to "refinish" so much as "restore" the finish. I know how the barrels of Tanegashima were protected (black lacquer) but I have no idea what was used on the stock. Once I finish cleaning it, what product should be used to treat it?
Do I dare remove all the inlay when working on the stock, or work around the inlay?
If you've "been there, done that", I'd like to hear from you. Any and all helpful advice will be appreciated.
It is missing the ramrod; I'm making one of modern design so I can remove the ball and powder load that seems to be present.
It is missing the pan cover and barrel protector as well as the cheek stock brass end plate.
It has a fair amount of inlay and is missing one inlaid piece around one side of one barrel pin hole.
I'll be trying to make all the missing parts myself. In addition, having used Simple Green degreaser to get most of the soot off, I need to restore the stock finish as it was doubtless damaged by the soot/removal.
Don't bother hollering at me that I have diminished its collector value. It lost much if not most of that in the fire. :td: The soot was so bad that I could not even tell there was brass inlay on the bottom. It had to be cleaned.
My main questions concern the stock. I don't want to "refinish" so much as "restore" the finish. I know how the barrels of Tanegashima were protected (black lacquer) but I have no idea what was used on the stock. Once I finish cleaning it, what product should be used to treat it?
Do I dare remove all the inlay when working on the stock, or work around the inlay?
If you've "been there, done that", I'd like to hear from you. Any and all helpful advice will be appreciated.