Claudio, I knew we were in for a treat when you started this Thread, and you did not disappoint. The end result is gorgeous. Thanks for the best Thread I've seen in a long time.
I think it's noteworthy, and speaks volumes that you shared credit with James for supplying the stock blank. It was incredibly fortunate that it ended up matching the original forend wood in both figure and color so perfectly. They look like they come from the same tree, but I know it also took a lot of care and finishing knowledge.
And also that you gave Chris Dawe credit for the beautiful checkering. Having seen some of his work here, I know he is also a very talented stock maker. That became very evident when he shared photos of a side plate Syracuse Lefever stock he made. Lefevers have the reputation of being one of the most difficult guns to stock well, and he nailed it.
I soaked up every little detail you shared. You mentioned daily stropping of your chisels. It takes good quality razor sharp tools, patience, a good eye, and the steady hand of an artist to achieve such precise inletting. The barrel bluing is a perfectly even and deep black, and the furniture is lovely as well. I also wondered about the process you used to finish the pins, screws, safety slide, and forend release, and will guess that you used the nitre bluing process.
It took a lot of different talents at a high level to pull this off. I hate to see this coming to an end, and wouldn't mind hearing some details of the wood finishing. Thank you for sharing.
