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Joined: Dec 2001
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Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
I was doing a little camera work this morning and thought you might like to see this. This is one of the earliest R.G. (Bob) Owen rifles I have seen. The finish is French polish, it has a horn buttplate and rounded pistol grip without a grip cap. At some later date it was sent to G&H for a side mount and front sight then rust blued. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,185 Likes: 67
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,185 Likes: 67 |
I'm a sucker for the POW grip, brilliantly executed. Any idea as to the year it was done?
Stunning wood finish but how does French polish wear compare to traditional oil finish?
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.
- Errol Flynn
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,306 Likes: 613
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,306 Likes: 613 |
I believe Mr. Owen may be my favorite American builder. Every time I see one of his pieces, I'm just a little more sure of it. Great rifle, the G&H side mount kinda makes me want to cry though.
Steve
Firearms imports, consignments ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/Ez9oz9Rl.jpg)
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
French Polish seems to stand up OK if you keep your martini away from it. One little drop of alcohol and the finish will run.
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29 |
French polish? Lacquer rubbed in with alcohol? Just showing my ignorance.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,912 Likes: 215
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,912 Likes: 215 |
French polish: Shellac finish. Applied with the shellac being carried in a cloth and lubricated with a very small amount of linseed oil. Sometimes other oils are used depending on the person doing the finishing. Lots of different techniques in the application. The constant light coats applied by this method dry almost immediately, the oil providing a lubricating property to keep the cloth 'ball' lightly saturated with the shellac from dragging and sticking to the finish already down on the surface. A continuous application can be undertaken if the work area is large enough.
Shellac is alcohol based as a solvent/carrier, so anything with alcohol in it will damage the finish.
Some very talented in French polishing, especially in furniture restoration and finishing do a final coat with almost all alcohol call 'flashing off'. It cuts the top coat of the finish and drys almost immediately leaving a dead flat gloss surface.
Filler coats on bare wood are sometimes mixed with a sprinkling of pumice or rottenstone (even 'plaster of paris' was used in older furniture work) to fill pores. Not used in gun work too much as the filler grit is tough on checkering tools, but it is done.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29 |
Thanks kutter. Learned something today.
Blair
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
I'm a sucker for the POW grip, brilliantly executed. Any idea as to the year it was done? Sorry I missed this part of your question. I believe that 1922 is about right, could have been a little earlier but not by much.
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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