GHE .410 another landfill story
 

After reading the story of the "landfill .410" in Parker Pages I decided to ask for advice from more knowledgeable members than I. Mine is a somewhat similar story which I won't go into at this time. My real question is: Should I touch up this wood. It is worse than the pictures show which are bad enough. I was told the little gun was stored in a gun case and extreme heat and moisture lifted the finish. It is gone in some areas and shows "orange peal" in others. The worst area is the butt which may have to be re-cut. The rest of the checkering looks good to me and would best be left alone I think. As can be seen the metal is in very good condition and will be left as is. Any ideas?

Nice gun. I would leave it alone, although others may feel differently

I agree that the metal should be left alone but I would have the wood refreshed. You really can't just do the bad spots IMHO and if you do decide to do it then do all the wood. that's a very nice 410.

That is a very special gun, and I feel having the wood properly refinished would only enhance both it's value and appearance.

Do the refinish and any wood repairs necessary. Is the buttstock original? I ask because of the nose flute shape and the butt checkering style.

That would be a tough decision for me to make. It looks totally original to me. I'd rather have an original gun that looks a bit "crusty" in places than a restored one.
The little gun would be really beautiful with the wood refinished, but the "total" originality of the gun would be gone forever.
"IF" I was making the decision to redo the wood, I think I would find someone who could remove the old finish with little or no sanding, and then reapply a lite coat of the original type finish. That way the small dents and scratches (character) of the gun would be preserved. .....But that's just my opinion.

Refinsh the wood.The gun is too nice not to repair the damage done.A good wood man can bring it back to near original finish without much trouble.Also,refinishing wood does not hurt value nearly as much as refinished metal.

I have had 3 different late Remington Parkers with the same crazed finish. It will literally wipe off with a cloth with a little acetone. I think it was the Remington finish was not as good as what the folks in Meriden did. NICE GUN!

Patrick

That or denatured alcohol. That will soften the finish and smooth it right out without removing it. If it were mine that is all I would do. There is nothing about the wood that needs refinishing. A few tiny blemishes from careful use is all I can see and they are testament to the light use the gun got. They are its personality. Don't recut the checkering - that is original Remington era checkering that has a distinction all its own.

What a sweet little .410 skeet gun! What a lucky guy you are! Congratulations!!






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It is Remington era comb nose fluting. DelGrego adopted that style on most all of his butt stock replacements but I believe the stock on the subject gun is completely original. It is certainly not a DelGrego skeet gun upgrade.





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I would try Dean's idea first and see how it comes out. If it doesn't, then a very light refinish by someone who knows what they are doing.

P.S., don't use a cloth with the denatured alcohol. It will absorb and rub off the softened finish... use your hand and fingertips.





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This is just an idea, don't know what the success might be, but it might be a good opportunity to try Brian Board's, Timberluxe product, but I'm sure others may comment as to that possibility. Brian might even be on the forum, snd if not it could be worth a call.

First what a beautiful 410. Here in the states I would contact Brad and get his opinion. I once had a very nice Iver Johnson 16 gauge Skeeter that had this same look. I used Everclear and Shellac and used the French polish method to smooth out the "wrinkled " finish as well as some checking. Turned out great, but I would never attempt this on such a valuable Parker.

I would love to read your story sometime.

and then, there are the kids that say "like" ever other word


:rotf::rotf::rotf:

I'd like to read the story sometime too.





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nice little 410 if it were mine i guess i would have the stock refinished..she s a pretty little thing.....charlie

Alan, 20-30 years ago, I could have told you exactly what to do. Back then I was an expert.
The more I have learned over the years, the less I know.

I can easily understand why there are more than a few guys in the "Leave It Alone" camp. I find myself quite often using the analogy that something is original only once.
Your gun exhibits metal condition we only dream about finding, and rarely ever dare to dream about finding a gun as desirable as yours.

If you owned a 1961 Austin Healey that didn't have a spec of rust, had a beautiful interior, not a single crack in the leather, spotless engine bay and ran like it was new, but had a few parking lots dings, age cracked paint, and a scrape here and there, do you think a can of wax will make it look like it deserves to? If I had such a car (I did many moons ago) I would pick a paint and body man who had the best reputation, and have him do his magic.
I know there's at least one guy, Russ Jackson, who will see this as a pretty good analogy.

Todd, When my dad was alive, I was in my early 30s, and there was precious little he could tell me, as I pretty much knew it already. It wasn't until he was gone that I realized how little I really did know. Consequently, I hung around guys 20 and 30 years older than me. Only problem now is there aren't too many guys 20 or 30 years my senior.

I like Deans approach and suspect it would work. If it doesn't, send it to someone who can do it right.

Don't do anything for at least five years. If you do anything, it will be wrong in five years. Maybe 15 or 20 years ago, I bought a field used VHE .410 Skeet. I have not done anything to it in 15 or 20 years. In that 15 or 20 years, I haven't seen an absolutely original field used VHE .410 Skeet. I think that mine may be the only one left. All the rest are refinished. What do you think the serious collector will be searching for? I would love to buy the .410 pictured by the original poster, but I guess a refinisher will end up with it. I have a 20 gauge VHE full optioned gun with similar wood and I have avoided refinishing that heat damaged wood on that mint gun for more than 20 years. It will be worth thousands more than a refinished gun when I choose to sell it. Refinished wood means refinished metal---who can tell?

They're out there Bill. Take a drive up north and have a look at John Dunkle's VHE .410 Skeet gun with everything but a ventilated rib... All Original! They are scarce, granted, but I have handled three in the last few years and Lord knows that is only a fraction I'm thinking.





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I know of an original VHE 410 skeet as well.

Between the few extremely qualified stock people we know who frequent this board, and others, whose reputation speaks for them, I would trust this gun to them. If Alan's gun were mine, I'd want to admire a beautiful gun, not one that once was, now is not, but 'still original'. Why do we pay these craftsmen? If I had to worry about whether something as easily fixed as the wood finish will hurt my exit value, I probably wouldn't have half the guns I do have.
A lot of people pound the table in the name of originality when it's someone else's gun, but they don't hesitate to 'tidy up' their own.

Alan, you have heard many views on your gun and I support Edgars view especially if the current finish displeases you. Deans solution has merit but since alcohol is a solvent for shellac it has risk too that I would try to avoid. If I OWNED your gun, I would start at the butt end of the stock with 600 wet/dry sandpaper and boiled linseed oil and ascertain my results. If satisfactory I would continue, if not I might try Deans method. If that failed Edgars method would be employed.

" Maybe 15 or 20 years ago, I bought a field used VHE .410 Skeet. I have not done anything to it in 15 or 20 years. In that 15 or 20 years, I haven't seen an absolutely original field used VHE .410 Skeet. I think that mine may be the only one left."

Yes you have Bill.... Chantilly VA number of years ago.

I'd send it to an experienced 'Parker' stock man (we/you know who they are), have him look it over and give you his recommendation. Too nice a gun not to have the wood glorified again. Then take it out and enjoy it while your still 'young'.