I completed this "Repair'onJanuary 2nd.2004. 100% Structurally and a fullrefurbish to all outside surfaces as there was massive damage to the 'comb' and right-side of the stock, also the 'Butt-End had several small stones embedded 'Well & Good' into the'Bump. After the'Fillit Repair' and all the missing areas in the hand had had new wood inleted "Acraglassed" in place,picked up the original chequering, then re-cut witha 120deg.London'flat-top'cutting tool,Ref. Monte Kennedys"Checkering & Carving of Gunstocks,Thomas G. Samworth, 1952,1st ED. Page 134'As done by Leonard Mews.'Das Schnitzelbank und der Werkzeug of Herr Mews.P.125 may be of some interest.I completly bleached out the entire stock and forend wood, brought the colour more in line with a Boss of the 1930 classic period.For several of my'London-Red'using Alkileathergasdye' stain.www.gun-vault.com.The old Finisher at Purdeys Bob Thompson when I started'under the:Front-Shop@ 57 S Audley St.Aug.1953,Told me..stand by lads, gunshop humor..P**s in the tin-cup,lump of Alki-root, heat over your gas flame,ad linseed oil, let stand'awhile'add old tea leaves,boil-up then add some 'Real French Walnut shavings'heat again until chips smolder,dip yer rt index finger in(quickly)touch it to your tongue(sp)should taste like hot pee, linseed oil and burnt walnut with tea leaves,This shows just how the Old Victorian, Ed 7th/ George 5th. Generation of Gunmakers had 'Laughs'at the expence of 14&15yr old Apprentices!!Photo of Bob Thompson,(World War '1' Veteran of the'Trenches'in Dallas's"PURDEY"Quiller Press 2000.P 158&159'.The gun has withstood Several hundred rounds of field shooting by the Client,(I and several'Skeptisks' shot in excess of 175 rds before returning the 15.3/16th stock length to the Client!) As of 0900hrs 11.19.06, the call from the still very satisfied Client,who has shown the 'Before Photos'on the Plantations that the 'Little Gun with the 'Spalted Elm Stock-Blank') has been killing a great % of birds on)will be looking for the story in the'Mag' that Barry L. Hands is sending it to. CC @ the coffee pot!
