Reference on Gun Smith
 

I just bought 2 DHE guns this weekend @ Louisville meet. I'm looking for someone to restore them for me. I see Kim Aylworth's add in
dgj and just wondered if anyone had seen his work etc.?

Art:
I'm not sure "what" you want restored... Kim is basically an engraver and barrel browner.

If your guns truly need restored -- which may lessen their value if they're not really beaters -- then Del Grego is THE man for Parker resto.

Consider restoration carefully. At least 80% of "restored" guns should have been left as-is in my opinion. Or at least just lightly cleaned up.

Best, Kensal

do no harm
 

best to do nothing in my opinion.
i have a sweet 20 VH that Granpa Delgrego "restored' for me and i wish i had never let it happen.

gun smith
 

I guess I need to post some pics. and get some input on if I should do anything to these guns.

Gun smith
 

Here are some pics. of the 2 guns. Not good pics. though, the damascus looks better inpics. than in person.

Art:
By all means please don't "restore" these guns !! They are wonderful as they are. About the most you might do is remove to "trap" style stock extension from the one, have the wood freshened a bit, chequering cleaned up, and maybe add a repro Silver's pad to finish the butt of that gun. And please have a pro do it... not the local Gander Mountain "gunsmith."

The other gun is so beautiful as it is, that any resto work would be like painting a goatee on the Mona Lisa.

BTW... I saw the trap butt gun in Louisville myself. Thankfully, before lunch.

Best, Kensal

gun smith
 

You don't think I should have the dents taken out of the barrels and have them redone. They really don't look very good in person. I agree that the recievers look just fine. The 12ga could use some screws replaced too. The wood should clean up pretty well too. So just take the extension off the 12 ga butt and put on a spacer and good thick pad on it?

Art:
Certainly have the dents removed. I assume bores are good otherwise. Re-brown? I'd say only f they're more than 75% silvered out. What you don't want is "new looking" barrels against a patina of age on the frame and wood. Your choice, of course. The slightly turned screws on the one bottom plate can be dealt with without replacement. All the others look fine. Again, their condition is part of the gun's history. Try to resist the American need for "factory new." It's a false god.

The beat up stock can be refinished and chequering recut to look great. If it's too short with just a pad, I'd send it to Mark Larson (Google MarkLarsonGunArt) for a small wood extension and finish/pad. You will never see the extension he applies. You could even have a repro Dog's Head plate put back on if you wanted. Spacers are OK if there is no other choice. In your case, you'll have the option, so why add a thick black spacer?

You've got some fine guns there. Do them honour.

Best, Kensal

PS: PM me if you have tech questions.

You might have saved me a lot of money. Dale Edmonds ok for barrell redo or you have a suggestion for that. Who's good for the wood clean-up and cleaning of the rest of the gun. What prices should I be paying to have this work done? Art

When you bought these guns at the Louisville show, did you talk to long time PGCA members and knowledgeable collectors Charlie Herzog, Josh Lowensteiner, Jeff Kuss and John Dunkle , who were there, and ask them? Sometimes its beneficial to meet the person giving advise , IMHO.

I am sure Dale Edmunds would do a good job on re-browning the barrels and de-denting....see the attached photo of a G that Dale did. I'm sure a few others would do a fine job also.

The stocks on your guns I believe are in need of some TLC. Light refinishing and de-denting would be in order, IMHO. You might be able to do that yourself if you have patience and a light hand. You could chase the checkering with a double cutter and make a little deeper where it is worn down. On the butt extension gun, find somebody who could put in a butt piece that is at least close to the stock in wood grain, get it finished correctly and grain across the joint with a fine brush.

May I urge you to meet with some PGCA members at the annual meeting or the Southern s xs and discuss the issues and the potential costs before you start down the road of expenses, especially since you just bought these guns and have no attachment to them.