doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Upgrading plain jane field grade guns

I suppose both Ken and have "jaundiced" opinions since we both make money by "upgrading". However what is the difference between Ken working in his home/shop or the Colt work shop? Several of the "subcontractors" do much better work than the factory folks. Finally a worn field grade that is restored/upgraded with shootable demensions and nice engraving will serve the owner and/or his-her heirs for years to come. That's my $00.02 worth, Best, Dr. BILL

J.B.Patton. I remember you posted several pic's of the wonderful gun you had made for your dad. Could you post the others please as I have a few bird hunter friends that are quite interested (actually in disbelief) after my description of your dad's fine gun?
Cheers, Don

The issue of upgrades is predicated, IMO, by first assuring that you have a decent candidate. The barrels, especially, must be sound and in good condition. When I have a gun redone, I always start with the fundamental - barrels, then internals made as perfect as possible, and any worn parts repaired or replaced.

The next critical issue is stock condition and gun fit. I shoot left handed and ofen choose to restock a resotration/upgrade. Not always, though. At this time, better wood is an obvious thing to do, since a new stock from a quality stocker is going to cost a fair amount of change - three to five times what you pay for the wood.

Gun engraving is up to the owner's whim, but I often choose to pick up the original engraving to preserve the 'originality' of the gun. Metal finishing in all cases should be consistent with what is proper for the gun in question. This usually means charcoal and nitre blacking/blueing of furniture , pins, etc. Cold rust bluing of the barrels if needed, and possibly re-case hardening the action if it was polished or annealed during the work.

The gun then needs to be assembled and final adjustments made by the smith.

As beautiful as those Fox up-grades are, the All-American boys would head for the hills on these.
A proven factory up-grade, or a famous 'smith's work brings them back to the counter or table.

Lowell, With all respect for your opinion and I certainly realize there are many of like mind in your circle of collecting --- you must agree that there are also many people that enjoy up grading old pieces that have passed their prime cosmetically. Otherwise, how could so many of us that are pro's at what we do stay so busy ? Must be many All-American boys who share an appreciation for both schools of thought. I have a few clients who Are collectors But also appreciate "the other side of the coin". His (client) quote not mine. FWIW, Ken

Ken, "As beautiful."
Can't pay more respect than that!

Keep the action but let me have that stock - properly prepared under glass on a large china serving platter properly garnished and skillfully sauced. The yellow tones look a bit like English walnut (not domestically grown stuff I buy).

Butterscotch tones would go well with caramel sauce and whipped cream with strawberries or cherries - or maybe some sliced white fleshed peaches (which I have in the yard in abundance). I think a culinary bent may put a bit of artistry in thought if not practice into some of my own stock-chopping.

Huh? Too much Wyborowa vodka? With all that IZH 'Baikal' talk it's probably Stolichnaya wodka!

Mr. Piekarczyk,
You're not a relative of Lowell's, are you?
That last had a certain..... Glenthornian flavor.
Jim

I think "restoration" is maintenance, and "upgrading" is commissioning (or creating) a work of art. Neither are acts for which one must apologize. I am speaking, of course, of fine metal and wood work, not alterations such as the post facto addition of Nazi stampings and such to merchandise that is for sale.

One of my pending projects is an LC Smith FW, a 6.5 lb. 12 guage field gun. It is tight and has much of the original case color, and I think it is at least worthy of a stock redo, fresh barrel blacking, and a new bead. Will it get an upgrade? At $2000+ for a restock and more for engraving, probably not, but who knows? It would be a lot cheaper than the '59 T-Bird I looked at last weekend.