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View Full Version : A Family Heirloom is put back into service


Brian Dudley
10-09-2017, 11:25 AM
This 28" 0 frame 16g. VH has been in the current owners family since it was new. However, as long as he can remember, the gun was in a sad state. Nearly all of the metal finish was gone, and the buttstock had been completely broken through the wrist. It was glued back together years ago, but was barely shootable. The stock was also cut short and had the tow broken off and rounded over.

The owner wanted the gun brought back to as good as it could be without having the frame restored. The moderately pitted (on the outside) barrels were re-struck, polished and rust blued. As well as the other appropriate small parts polished and nitre blued. Both the stock and forend were replaced with new wood and made to match the original dimensions. A more figured stock was desired, so the owner hand selected an attractive American Walnut blank from my inventory for use on the gun. All the major screws on the frame were replaced with new ones in place of buggered originals.

Forgive the sub-par photos. This gun ships out tomorrow and it is raining all day here today so I had to make due with what light I could find inside the shop.

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Rick Riddell
10-09-2017, 12:20 PM
Gorgeous Brian!!

Reggie Bishop
10-09-2017, 12:35 PM
Very nice work!

Gerald McPherson
10-10-2017, 10:01 AM
The figure on the right side of the stock is very similar to a VH that is my all time favorite shotgun. Good choice. 1914 era.

Brian Dudley
10-10-2017, 11:25 AM
This one is around 1905 if i recall correctly.

Tom Pellegrini
10-10-2017, 02:34 PM
Nicely done Brian. Everyone I show my VH to have very high compliments onthe checking job you did. Thank you again.
Tom