G.E. Lewis Stock

[Mark Landskov]

Hi everybody! I am in the process of refinishing the stock on my Lewis 'Magnum Wildfowler', and have some questions. I plan on using CCL products, as sold by the folks at the DGJ. Does anyone have experience with these products? I attached some photos of the stock and forend. I stripped the old finish with acetone and cleaned all the crud from the checkering. Would it be safe to say that the forend is made of a different breed of walnut than the buttstock? I can see some distinct figure in the stock, but thought the black streaks looked like they were applied with a small brush and black paint, prior to the original finish being applied. I wonder if the wood suffered from poor storage and the streaks were caused by water. The surface was rough, as though the grain 'whiskered up' from being wet, then dried. Thanks for any input.:cheers:

[John Campbell]

The wood figure you have certainly looks natural for English walnut. Don't fret that. And forend wood did not necessarily come from the same stick as the buttstock. Often just a convenient selection.

But, I would think seriously about raising the dents and correcting the other wood distress before refinishing. If this gun were mine, I'd also dress up the chequering.

As for the CCL products, they are fine. Albeit very slow to progress through. Do not expect Tru-Oil curing times! I'd budget a month or more for stain/finish with CCL.

Thos. Bland in PA used to sell some UK-sourced stuff called Rapid Oil. This dries much faster. And is the finished used by H&H and Westleys. Check the Bland web site.