doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Disguised stock repair

I saw this on Dennis Earl Smith's table at DSC in January and asked if he would send me before and after photos so I could post them here. This was an 1880s Damascus hammer gun that had crumbling wood under the buttplate. First two pics are of the new wood in place, bottom two after finishing. After seeing this completed project I have begun calling him Houdini.

Craig Libhart

Amazing what some of these folks can do. Just amazing.

Really need to learn how to do this....

Dennis is a wizard at wood repair!!

That's why they call him the Stock Doctor!
Thanks for posting that Craig.

What is amazing to me about the repair is the seams, which are in three planes, are perfect. I have never been able to get a seam in multiple planes to come together that perfectly.

That is a lovely job. Well executed.

Anyone have an idea as to how he does them is he a deft hand with paints or other methods it looks fantastic.

Demonwolf444, the technique is taught by Mohawk Industries. I have adapted their technique to gunstocks and have 30+ years of learning how to blend all the needed colors together in order to make it look good. The only down side is.. One must use a build up finish in order to get the needed 3D layer of the wood. Craftsman of the past have used many methods over the centuries of wood replacement. I continue to learn "new" ways to improve on non building finish repairs. Yes a good eye for colors helps too. I got started doing repairs because UPS was breaking one gunstock a week at Kimber of Oregon where I was employed as the Finisher. Boss brought me the Mohawk powder stains and laquer with instructions to get the stocks fixed and ready to go in two weeks. I had a very short learning window. It seems I have an eye for color. Thank you all for your comments. Thank you Craig for posting this project. It made my client very happy.

Dennis your work is amazing, the quality is definitely top notch.
I hope you do not mind me asking a few questions.
How do you build up your finish?
I have been French polishing between layers of grain, to build up the finish. This works for me it levels and gives some depth, but it wipes away some of the new grain I just put on each time.
Is there a better way?
Another question is what type of glues do you use?
I always seem to have a problem hiding that area, even with a good tight fit. multiple top coats seem to hide it but it takes many, and a lot of time.
I hope I did not ask too many questions, but I could not resist!
I like to play in the basement working on my project guns.
I am at the kindergarten finger painting level, but you Sir a true artist.
Gary




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