doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Horn Butt Plate Repair

I have a horn butt plate that is slightly cracked on the edge about 1" long. I think that with some of the right black glue on the edge and it will be fine. Does anyone have any expierence with the right glue to use on horn? Also what can I use to polish the plate up a bit?

Bill G.

I have seen chipped horn buttplates repaired with stained Acraglass.

Bill G,

If the horn is beginning to crack from age or lack of humidity, you can repair or fix it to a point. The easiest method it to immerse the piece in mineral oil for a few days. Then take it out and let it dry. If time is a premium, place the piece in a pan over very low heat with mineral oil. Do not let it boil. Keep it in the heated oil for 4 to 8 hours.

After is has been "rejuvenated" you can repair any cracks and polish it.

Pete

Darryl has it right with the dyed Accraglas. You'll want the liquid, not the gel, and I'd recommend using the Accraglas dyes (Brown & black) as well. If your horn is jet black, you won't need the brown.....otherwise you can generally mix the two colors to get a match. After 24 hrs. of curing, sand the area lightly with 320 grit wet or dry and progress through 400 and 600 grits as well. To polish, hit it lightly with 0000 steel wool and apply a drop or two of your stock finish oil rubbed in vigorously by hand. That's it.

Robt.

Thanks for the help everyone. Pete, I don't think this is an age problem. It is more likely damage from being banged on something. The cracking is not real bad but I would like to put the plate back on the gun and don't want it to get any worse.

Bill G.

I have repaired several using Epoxy stained with powdered Garretts snuff and powdered graphite