Stock refinishing opinions

[Quack me up!]

Hello,
I'm debating on whether or not to have my VH stock refinished. I've had the gun for about six years and the barrels were refinished when I bought it so it's not 100% original now.
I am just considering having a new finish put on it to help protect the wood. You can see by the pics that the current finish is getting splotchy. I'm not interested in having the checkering recut, just possibly a new finish. There are only a couple of small dings in it which I plan on leaving unless they're easy to have fixed. If I decide to go with this, I would also, more than likely, do the forearm as well. The pictures aren't the greatest but I can take some more if it helps people with their input opinions.
Any opinions pro or con would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Bob

[B. Dudley]

Yeah, it could use some finish added, in my opinion. That could be done easily without having to remove the old finish. And it would retain the character of the old gun. Your right, since the barrels were redone already, you are not 100% original. As long as the level of finish suits the overall finish of the gun, it will greatly improve the appearance of the gun.

[Dean Romig]

As Brian says, just add finish - don't remove any of the original finish and above all, don't touch that nice checkering.

[Quack me up!]

"IF" I wanted to have someone else do the refinishing for me, can I get some referrals from people who have had a similar project done and possibly some before and after pictures? I'm not sure if I'd want to tackle this myself or not. The head of the sock by the top lever is definitely darker than the rest of the stock so I'm wondering if this is oil soaked and if so, would that need to be fixed first? I can take some pics of that area tomorrow.
Thanks.

[Austin W Hogan]

Clean that butt well, and it will almost instantly recover with shellac and oil "french polish"

Best, Austin

[ed good]

try a little true oil applied with your finger..could do wonders.

[J. A. EARLY]

Bob,

I took my "hunting" VH today after rabbits in the mist which turned to pouring rain. Tonight, after having dried it all afternoon by a nice warm wood stove fire I am applying Tru-oil brand oil into the stock wood, leaving the stock on the gun and having removed the forend metal, onto that wood. My gun by all appearances was much like yours, but now after it got wet I realized how dry the wood realy was. The wood was unprotected.

Just carefully rub the Tru-oil into the wood with a clean white cotton patch, only a very small amount on the patch, just enough to work into the wood. This can be carefully done without removing the metal from the stock. As thin as you can, allowing it to dry between several coats. This is just my opinion. Others may differ.

[Dean Romig]

The head of the stock does not look oil soaked at all.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Gentlemen,

In one sentence Austin not only informed all how to repair worn finish and also what original Parkers were finished with. That was pretty darn good Austin!

Shoot well and often,
Mark

[B. Dudley]

The Head of the stock is Dark in some spots, but this is most likely just dirt and grime buidup from handling and use. A way to check or address that is the use denatured alcohol. This will get that dirt and crud off of there, but not hurt the finish.

Usually the head of any old stock will be a bit darker due to some oil, but not oil soaked per say. If there is no damage or softening of the wood, then it is not oil soaked. Like I said, just a cleaning and reapplication of oil will be fine and not remove any of the original "Patina". If the head is actually just a bit darker and not just dirty, then it is character that you want to try and preserve.