Emotion is a factor You're putting a little bit of yourself in this gun - your likes and dislikes. As a self-contractor or project manager, the process is more akin to directing and producing a Shakespearean play than building a house. Everyone has to respect each other andwork together.
Step 1: Acquire a firearm that is in good mechanical condition. This firearm will be the platform onto which the various trades will apply their skill. Junk guns in need of major repairs are not good prospects. Small gauge ejector firearms, perhaps with some slight pitting on the surface, but good mechanicals are the best prospects. Wood is unimportant since that will be replaced anyway.
Step 2: Old engraving or nicks or pits must be polished off the receiver by hand. No buffing wheels can be used. Even a microsecond on a buffing wheel can dish out screwholes and wash out lettering.
Step 3: Confer with a stockmaker on selecting the blank of wood that will be used for the new stock. Most prefer English walnut and American black walnut since its density makes it easier to checker. The points stand up better. The stockmaker will not be as happy to restock the gun if it has already been engraved, and worse yet, if it's been case colored. It takes much longer to stock a gun if the artisan has to worry about marring the steel. Specify that the stock should have no figure in the wrist, as figure in the wrist area of the stock has a tendency to crack if wrist is thin..
Step 4: Final polishing: Gunsmith or engraver removes scratches left by the stockmaker and polishes it to at least 320 grit before engraving. Again, no polishing wheels. Any grit finer than 400 is unnecessary.
Step 5: Engraving:.
Step 6: Case color and blueing: Resources for color case hardening and blueing should be those that the gunsmith is accustomed to dealing with. Most gunsmiths use Color Case Company.
Step 7: When the receiver is returned, the barrels must be refited to the receiver.
Step 8: Final assembly and test firing.
AMERICAN DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUNS
THE EIGHT STEP GUIDE TO CUSTOMIZING UPGRADING AND RESTORING AMERICAN SHOTGUNS
