Hammergun Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 OK chaps, as promised some time ago, here is a pictorial record of my gun restoration project. Hopefully there will be more pictures as the weeks progress. The fine Damascus barrels were in need of re-browning, the chequering was worn on the fore-end and needed re-doing. Fortunately the action was still bright as the gun action had been well looked after. The gun has had little use as the barrels are still well in their original proof. This also meant that the action was nice and tight, and there was little wear to any of the parts. The only fault was a broken top-lever spring, which owing to its individuality needed making from scratch. For this, the gunsmith charged me £75. The gun was made in the late 1800's by the London Armoury, a busniess based on a consortuim of smaller London gunmakers to effectively compete with the larger organisations supplying small arms to the military. There were also a collection of numerous different outfits, each specialising in a particular trade, such as barrelling, stocking, chequering, oiling etc. It is said that such guns have passed through the hands of as many as 20 different craftsmen. The quality of the action is very good, and the gunsmith commented that it was as well made as many of the more expensive London guns. The quality of the engraving is very good too. The style of the fences appears to be based on the Gamage design - very chunky and robust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 The colouring had worn off the base plate and the trigger guard: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Someone had quite amateurishly fitted a rubber pad to the stock. This will have to come off and be replaced by a dark wood or ebonoid, more in-keeping with the character of the gun. This is going to take me many hours of careful work to do properlyl, so I think I'll be putting it off till last! The stock has a lot of scratches, the chequering is worn and needs re-cutting, and all the woodwork needs re-oiling. Even in its current state you can see the ripple walnut shimmering through. Hopefully it will look splendid when finished. Must have been an expensive gun when new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_stag88 Posted February 5, 2004 Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 It will look very nice when compleated. How will you attempt to get the scratches out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2004 Some of the scratches and dents will raise by placing a damp cloth over them, then using the tip of a hot steam iron to raise the grain. Smaller scratches will polish out with steel wool (0, then 00, then 000 grade). Some scratches may have to stay to avoid spoiling the character of the gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 The wood is nicely figured hammergun, it should come up really nicley when oiled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 Looks like she should be a cracking gun mate, when do you start and more importantly when do you aim to finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Started last month. Aim to finish by the Pheasant season. I rubbed the barrels down with 360 grade emery cloth (very fine) to almost a polish, then took them to the gunsmith. They came back a rich, well figured brown, showing off the Damascus pattern to its best. A little beeswax and linseed oil added to the lustre.................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted February 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Then took off the plate, bottom screw and trigger guard, rubbed them down with very fine grade powder so as not to dull the engraving. They were blacked and reassembled.......... (compare with my second post) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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