Once I start applying the finish on the stock there is plenty of time between coats to start dealing with the fore end, it was dark and oil soaked but otherwise sound, this was important to me because its always good to keep a part of the old wood in service, sort of like keeping the soul of the gun intact….also, that fore end is a real pain to make.

[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]


After a few coats of finish…it perfectly matches the stock, fiddleback and all.

[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]

[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]


The taste of poor quality lingers long after the cheap price is forgotten.........