Livefast123 Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 (edited) Well I popped down to my not so local RFD to pick up some reloading supplies and a brick of .22LR. When the deal had been done he mentioned that he had just been given a SxS hammergun from somebody who was giving up shooting. He the asked me if I wanted the gun for free, I then thanked god that I had brought my shotgun certificate and the gun was mine. It's tight on it's face and the barrels look good but it does have a god awful finishing job on the stock, it looks like somebody has applied a red gel coat and used the thickest B and Q varnish they could find. The gun is marked up as a Francotte's Arms Co, Liege and is chambered in 12/70.- Serial number 99713. It has dual rebound hammers that work (fires blanks) Barrels are marked Choke 183 and a variety of other marks that i'll have to look up As this is my first restoration, how can I get this gun back into presentable order, I've looked up the stock finishing threads and think i'll give that go first. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Think I've tracked it down to being proofed (German Standard) in 1926 with Nitro and BP proof by Alfred Reignier or Louis Couchant Edited July 13, 2013 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazbev Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Great,I wonder what wood the stock is made out of could be a stunner if the blueing is nice. Keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Looks a nice gun, the stock is pretty revolting though. Dunk it in a barrel of Nitromors and you should have a decent hammer gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 (edited) The bluing is OK for the age of the gun, whoever did the 'red october' stock job missed the underside of the fore end and it looks rather promising from what I can see. Edited July 13, 2013 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 I think whoever did that stock got confused between red oil and red hammerite But that could turn into a lovely gun for the odd day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted July 13, 2013 Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 As said just now, Nitromors and very fine wire wool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Right a trip to B and Q or similar it is then. I take it I just apply the Nitromors, let it soak and then use the wire wool to get all the old cruddy varnish off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 Right a trip to B and Q or similar it is then. I take it I just apply the Nitromors, let it soak and then use the wire wool to get all the old cruddy varnish off? Exactly. And you can work the Nitromors into the chequering with an old toothbrush which usually gives good results. You'll know when it's ready to rub off again as it bubbles up and crinkles. Sometimes it's quicker to scrape it off with the edge of an old credit card as this lifts the varnish; wire wool can just smear it around without lifting it off the wood. Nice project gun - good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfa taf Posted July 14, 2013 Report Share Posted July 14, 2013 The gun is marked up as a Francotte's Arms Co, Liege What a pice of luck. Francotte , a very respected Belgian make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Really, I couldn't find that much on the net about them, mainly high end custom stuff. Do you know much about them Taf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Right, the Nitromors is on and I have the 0000 wire wool waiting in the sidelines..........wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal Mother Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Photos and updates as you go please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Ok an update for the little project:- I started with this I ended up with this You'll have to forgive me for being a little with myself but with it being the first time I've ever done anything like this I didn't really know what to expect. The Nitromors was a filthy job and bloody hard work as the varnish was as deep as the Atlantic, but I used a plastic card to scrape it off and after a bit of effort it was finished. I then gave it a quick rub over with 0000 steel wool and left it there. I've bought the walnut Tru Oil kit to finish it, any tips are very very welcome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Yes don't use truoil get a proper stock oil. Sand it super smooth raise the grain nock it back then start with the sealing and oiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 (edited) Looks like there are a few dents so try to iron them out (damp cloth and iron) but the biggest pain will be trying to balance the colour of the different wood of the fore end with the stock - one looks like walnut the other beech (possibly). Preparation is everything so spend the time now to get a good finish later. There are 'better' oils available but I would still use the Tru-Oil as you already have it and you will get good results fairly easily and quickly. Here's one I've done recently with Tru-oil: Before: After: Edited July 15, 2013 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Falcon that's a very nice job indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEshooter Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 Looking forward to seeing the finished project, good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 If mine looks half as good as yours Falcon i'll be a happy bunny. I've seen a lot of people talk about raising the grain as Welsh said, forgive the stupid question but what does this involve and I take it that it must be done before oiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted July 15, 2013 Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 to raise the grain, dampen the surface of the wood with a damp cloth it will cause "feathering" - which you then strip off again with the wire wool or very very fine grades of wet/dry emery cloth I only ever use linseed oil or the walnut stock oil as a finish once all the rubbing down & sanding is sorted out... looking good so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2013 I've had plenty of practice sanding so sounds like I should be right at home and it gets me out of painting the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeceknight Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 good effort, free gun and your restoring it to it's former glory. il be following this thread. wonder who done the stock before you lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) I haven't got a clue but would like to shake his hand, without his handy work the gun would never have come into my possession. Got down and dirty with a damp towel, lots of sandpaper and some extremely fine wire wool. Following tips from here about raising the grain I sanded it down to mirror smooth in around 5 steps. What did I get for all my hard work, a butt ugly, very light stock that has as much grain as a bowl of Kelloggs Frosties...... I hadn't planned a dark stock but with the lack of grain and the vintage of the gun I decided to do something in the middle so mixed my BC Walnut dye 50:50 with water. The result was decent but I now faced the problem of matching the fore end which was hideously white Beech. After about 5 goes I managed to get something which sort of resembled the stock and left it at that. Will have to let it dry for 24 hrs before starting the first sealing oil coat. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Edited July 17, 2013 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Great job on the fore end, that's just about as good as you could get with two different woods, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thanks, it certainly took a lot of guesswork and plenty of mixing! Luckily with this weather I can work outside and everything dries really quickly. Hoping to get the stock sealed with the Tru Oil tomorrow and then a bit of grain filling the day after. I'm debating what to do with the action now, the bluing is pretty shot so need a low cost finish or i'll leave it as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Seal the grain before you apply any oil to give you the best finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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