doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Scalloped Box Lock Glass Bed Questions

I have a scalloped box lock sxs that's about 60 yrs old. I recently noticed that a hairline crack has begun to form in the stock behind the action on left side, about half way up where the scallop comes to a point. Although I don't shoot heavy loads in this 12ga., I'm not surprised this is happening given the age of the wood and that scallop union joint.

So I'm thinking it would be a good idea to have the action glass bedded. I hope that would stop the crack from creeping. I intend to shoot light to medium loads only in the gun.

Can anyone offer some insight into whether this is a good idea or not? Referrals to someone that has a good rep for this kind of work would be appreciated. How much should I expect to spend on this sort of job? Does anyone have pics to put up showing what this would look like on the inside and outside?
Thanks, just trying for situational awareness before I send it off to someone.

Oh yea, if not for the crack, this gun would look almost like new, so I don't mind putting some $ into a repair if it will keep this gun in top shape for field use.

It may not be a crack, but instead just the wood grain opening up due to climate changes over the years. Is the line following the grain?

I don't have a recommendation for a stock doctor to do this work, but have had it done in the past by several craftsmen who are alas no longer available to us below.

If your "doc" is any good at all, the repair won't be visible from the outside of the gun. On the inside of my LC Smith with glassed locks the "glassing" appears as a different texture, almost like a shiny brown paint on wood that covers the wood grain. The work was cheap, but then so am I. And I lived in small town Vermont and Idaho respectively, where there was as yet no "carriage trade." A double repair was the same as any gun repair to them.

I think it's a good idea to have this done if you even SUSPECT that there is a weak spot on an old double that you intend to shoot.

I suspect it's the end grain checking from changes in humidity/climate as you suggest. I do not think it's from abuse. Whatever the cause, I want to mitigate it. I'd like to get the glass work done to improve the odds against it becoming worse.

I don't know these guys but they are worth checking out

http://www.gunstockmaker.com/


this one does have a rep for good work
http://www.thestockdr.com/services.php

have another day
Dr.WtS

Craig Libhart from Susquehanna Stockworks (http://susquehannastockworks.com/) took care of a similar problem on a Ferlib boxlock for me. It's held up well since he did the repair. I highly recommend him.

OR, you might try PM-ing' your first responder, B. Dudley. Brian is in the trade and noted for his quality work. He does a fair amount for guys with the Parker Gun Collector Assoc. - and if ever there was a pickier group of men when it comes to gun work, I don't know of them.

All Best,

Rob

I have the head glass bedded on any double gun I plan to keep. Invisible and cheap insurance.

Thanks to all for your replies. I plan to carry this gun up to PA with me this fall to have a fellow I trust up there take a look. If all goes according to plan, I'll get him to bed it, and fit it to my wife if she ends up liking it, otherwise, I'll get it set up for myself.n In the meantime, will not be shooting it so I don't risk making it worse. Kinda hope she don't like it

[img:center][/img]

This the crack by the way

I might invisibly relieve the contact point with the metal point of the scallop then glass the crack. Acraglass thinned with acetone is great for strengthening and sealing the head of the stock anyway...soaks in like water, then sets up. I wouldn't sweat it too much. BTW I once glassed a scalloped action pre-emptively, and it actually CAUSED a little crack like you have! Good luck. Steve