Leather faced pad
 

I am going to leather face ( not leather cover) a Silvers recoil pad that I have on a C. I have thin black leather and Barge cement. It looks like a straightforward job. Is it as simple as it appears and any pointers?

Well Bruce, it has been a good three hours since you posted the question...

I would suggest also asking over on the gunshop.com website. There are some very knowledgable and helpful gents over there who I am sure could offer some excellent advice.

Dean

Bruce:
Basically, you are correct. It is essentially simple. But... (there always is one) it is the "curve" of the butt that will hang you up as well as the Barge cement. You must find a way to get the leather onto the pad and smooth it out before the cement fixes it forever. You may also find that you have to thin the Barge a bit to keep lumps out of the surface. Use Barge thinner only. A shoe man can get you some. Best to cover TWO pads. One for practice, one for real. Especially on a C grade gun. Of course you trim the oversize leather after attachment.

Best, Kensal

Phil Carr has sent me some excellent instructions and I will follow those.

Bruce Please share those excellent instruction with the rest of us. Thanks

I have been asked to provide a step by step photo guide and I will , incorporating Phil's guide.

What I have is a 1905 CHE Bernard with high straight stock, originally a no safety gun, went back and a safety was added and a Jostam two layer red and black sponge pad put on. The sponge pad was hard and crushed, and Briley put on a Silvers for me. Parker put on leather faced pads , there were some with full leather covered pads, but many more with leather faced Silvers. So I have photos from an A-1S with leather faced pad, I have thin black leather from a bootmaker friend, Barge cement, and Phil's instructions. What I want is an authentic, dressed up look.

i have done a full leather covered pad in the past, but had not heard of leather faced.


is this just what it sounds like? just the back end surface covered with leather? how well do they hold up and is it meant as a non slip application?

Yes.
Yes.
I have seen them last for 100 years.
Don't know.

See TPS for examples. On Parkers, they are not uncommon. Full leather covered pads are rare on Parkers and usually raise an issue about authenticity. There are some backed by factory letters.

thanks Bruce

I did the covered pad to extend the length of pull on a London Hammer gun.

Sure, and I think they look elegant regardless of what gun they are on.