doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restoration Help

Need some sources for restoring some guns.
Who is a good source for duplicating stocks (semi-inletted). I've used Great American and Boyd's. Are there some others?

Also, who are some sources to recolor case receivers that have been stripped, cleaned and polished?

Dan

I've heard good things about Ohio Case Colors.

Sources for case color restoration:

http://turnbullrestoration.com/

THE COLOR CASE COMPANY Donald A. Menk Jr. PO Box 27 14435 Unity Road New Springfield, OH 44443 Phone: 330-542-2062.

John Gillette of "Classic Guns Inc." http://www.classicgunsinc.com/

http://www.cnygunworks.com/gallery.html

You can see examples of their work on the Case Colors PictureTrail
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=12588446&uid=6511424
Click 'Slideshow'

For stocks, http://www.wenig.com/

Tried them all. Have used Classic Guns for the last eight years --- consistantly the best quality wise and only $175. Average del is about one week in & out of shop. Never had a unhappy client with these guys !! Ken

Dan, I suggest you consider that a true, full rstoration is expensive, depending on the wood selected and checkering, depending also on how much metal prep is needed, depending finally on how much engraving needs to be chased/redone. Once you look at these angles remember that "restored/upgraded" guns rarely bring what the pristine gun does. In other words your heirs may profit, but it is doubtful you will. With that said the Rev.,Dr. Drew has given you several good leads, as has Ken Hurst. Finally suggest you make a visit to the 'smith you entrust your heirloom to and get an idea of his/her work. If you like what you see get a written estimate of both cost and delivery time. Anyone worth doing business with should be happy to do this as well as furnish references. Remember it is YOUR money and it will likely amount to $3K+ of an outlay for anyone decent to do the job. Best, Dr. BILL

Dan: as Dr Bill said, 'to restore' is to return to as new condition. What most of us want to do is to 'refurbish'; clean up and return to excellent mechanical condition. Either of these gentlemen in TX could give you a good idea what your guns need, and what other options might cost, and having the chance to go over your guns in person with the smith is invaluable:
Larry Feland 281-550-3553 http://felandgunsmith.com/
Kirk Merrington in Kerrville, TX http://kirkmerrington.net/

Picture Trail coming along nicely. Looks good.

jack

I have used Donnie Gemes for Semi-Inletted stocks and got good quality in reasonable time for a reasonable price.

Show-Me Gunstocks
PO Box 97
Warsaw, MO 65355
(660) 438-4568

Jim

Thanks Guys
I misspoke in that I'm not restoring the guns, just "updating" them. Most are JABCs, off name English or Japanese guns w/ very short stocks, chunks gone, etc. I often fix them up to make gifts or just donate them. There is more then one old hunting friend that has gotten one of them for a Christmas present.

New wood, reworked action, some machining, little bit of engraving, bushed firing pins, new springs, and they are very nice shooters for someone. Something to do to keep my hands busy in the mean time.

The knowledge I've learn from everyone here over the years is outstanding. (Especially Dr Gaddy) I was looking for other sources to do work and compare. It looks like the going rate for the work I'm looking for hasn't changed much.

One of these days, I'm going to take 2 or 3 years off and apprentice myself to Kirk Merrington and learn some of his barrel secrets. :0

Dan