Tacky Problem

[acavdragoon]

I have an 1812 dated Springfield flintlock musket that had an extremely dirty stock. I don’t think it was ever taken care of, apparently a derelict. I was washing down the stock with denatured alcohol and brass pins started appearing. This musket was tacked at one time in its history to my surprise.

Not sure on how to proceed now. Leave it be? Try to pull out the pins? Any other suggestions?

 

[Phil Coffins]

Ow, I’d probably dirty (fake dirt) it back up. Pulling the pins would cause more damage.

 

[andy52]

I suppose it's up to what result you're looking for, a military-looking stock or a stock with a good story.

 

[TDM]

They're part of the guns history, I'd leave them be.

 

[acavdragoon]

Ow, I’d probably dirty (fake dirt) it back up. Pulling the pins would cause more damage.

I don’t know James, I’ve already boiled, steamed and carded the metal parts. I’m with you, pulling the pins would do more damage, I’ve already tried one, left a hole of course as well as a little larger hole at the surface.

 

[1950DAVE]

1/16” nail set, very carefully set them below the surface about a 1/16th, linseed oil stock, rub off excess, sand w/180 to make a slurry that will fill holes, let dry, proceed with finishing steps.

 

[acavdragoon]

1/16” nail set, very carefully set them below the surface about a 1/16th, linseed oil stock, rub off excess, sand w/180 to make a slurry that will fill holes, let dry, proceed with finishing steps.

Super idea! I’ll give this a try. Thank you!

 

[Phil Coffins]

Super idea! I’ll give this a try. Thank you!

We expect photos!

 

[acavdragoon]

We expect photos!

You got it sir!

 

[tenngun]

At the risk of sounding tacky, and saying I like tacks, also I have no gun that they would be appropriate on,
I would retrace where the originals were

 

[PhDBrewer]

Use a nail set that had a dished tip. Concave tip is another name for it. A pointed tip may (will) slide off the head and create another hole next to the pin...
Hope this helps.
William

 

[1950DAVE]

A nail set has a dished / concave tip, that is if it is realitively new and has not been abused or used as a center punch. A center punch has a tapered point, usually around 45*.

 

[acavdragoon]

It turned out there was only 4 tack pins left in the stock, someone filled in the other pin holes with some sort of white putty. I just used the punch to concave the top of the putty so it would be hidden by the sanding and the BLO. It turned out pretty good. Here’s some pictures as promised.

 

[Sooty Scot]

Your fix looks good. It shows it's age but not the insult.

 

[TDM]

Looks good!

 

[1950DAVE]

Very good

 

[Rudyard]

Your fix looks good. It shows it's age but not the insult.

Well I would say the tacks told a historic story part of it's life. might not have' provenance' but does have 'evidence' no soldier is going to knock tacks in his musket . be my guess .
Rudyard's' view

 

[Phil Coffins]

Good job.