Need opinions...

[GH-16]

I would start by contacting Wenig's & talking the situation over with them. They did the work & they are the ones that need to make it right!!

[Frank Wilson]

Last Friday morning I arrived at Wenig's shop in tiny Lincoln, Missouri with my plank of walnut that I hoped these folks could help me turn into a nice looking stock worthy of this fine gun. I really didn't know what kind of service experience I was in for considering I was there asking them to correct a mistake. Just a caveat that in no way am I someone that could ever be mistaken for anything close to an expert in gun stock making or restoration in general; just a DIY junkie that has always had an affection for old American doubles that has been bitten by this restoration bug. And admittedly, I have no frame of reference within which to judge my experience with Wenig as I have no doubt there are many fine individuals and small companies in this industry that do great work and deliver outstanding customer service. That said, these guys could not have been more accommodating and friendly to my wife and I during our 2 1/2hour visit. Luke Chambers took us around and introduced us to most all of his small staff of about 15 employees and let us observe and ask questions as they performed their particular craft. The experience of each employee, from carving to finishing and everything in between, was obvious even to my untrained eye. The gentleman who did most of the fitting had honed his skills over 42 years and was happy to share some key tips with me. I must say the visit alone was worth the trip to beautiful central Missouri. As for my stock, they took the time to make sure I was happy with the section of my plank they would be carving that would likely produce the strongest and most aesthetic grain and figure. Long story short, these guys more than made up for their mistake in my mind and of course, didn't charge me another dime. I'll post a pic tonight of the semi-inletted stock with correct pistol grip they duplicated from the existing stock. I couldn't be more pleased with the final product I wound up with.

[Frank Wilson]

I completely agree Brian. In their defense, I didn't leave them much choice on that first one as I shipped them a blank that I failed to give proper consideration to the grain flow through the wrist when I cut it from the plank. I suppose their mistake turned out to be a stroke of luck and gave me a second chance as I've since gained a better appreciation for the significance of proper grain flow. Below is a pic of the pistol grip stock they carved from a much larger plank of seasoned walnut I provided using the current stock as a pattern. Fairly straight grain through the wrist with some nice figure and a little feathering that should really jump out when finished. Very consistent pattern on both sides. Note the rough excess material toward the head of the stock was at my request in hopes of being able to shape this area correctly since the existing (non-original) stock is either very worn or never had the clean sharp lines in the first place. image.jpg

[Frank Wilson]

Update: I contacted Wenig and they are taking full responsibility for the error and are happy to correct it. I offered to send them another blank next week and they said they will turn it around as soon as they receive it. Other than the error, seem to be a good bunch of folks to work with so far. I'll update this thread when I receive the new stock. Thanks for all the comments!

[Dean Romig]

Will you receive full compensation for the blank they ruined for you?

[Allan McLane]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

Will you receive full compensation for the blank they ruined for you?

Maybe he should keep it (at no charge) for his own purposes later, especially if it's a nicely figured piece.

[Frank Wilson]

That's exactly what I've decided Allan. Maybe I'll find a project 0 frame that needs new wood someday and can go thru with the process of converting a PG to a straight grip. Would be different had I paid a several hundred dollars for the blank but I'm fortunate enough to have a friend that runs a commercial sawmill just down the road with a lot of walnut slabs. I paid $50 bucks for it (plus $28 to ship to them) and was able find another great looking piece yesterday with great figure and even some nice straight grain through the wrist. Just hope it turns out half as nice as the figure in the first one after it's turned.

[Bill Murphy]

Frank, we would like to see pictures of your gun and the work that Wenig did. I'm surprised that they inletted the stock without having the gun in hand.

[BRDHNTR]

Frank, was the walnut blank you bought from your friend's saw mill 'cured' sufficiently for stock work?

[GH-16]

Glad to hear Wenig's is standing behind their work. Good luck with the project !!