To Refinish or Not to Refinish

[David Champa]

I’ve got an old Trojan 12 gauge I recently acquired, only to detect a split in the head of the stock mid season. After disassembling and glueing the stock back I’ve got to thinking if it’s worth restoring. I understand it’s completely subjective and one’s preference. It’s a very worn gun from 1927, but I plan on continuing to use it and realize there’s no real collector value to it.

I’m going to finish the repair with a staple and accraglas and would then continue with the refinish. Re cut the checkering and applying Timberluxe and maybe reblue the barrels.

Stock is quite worn, looks like a previous owner wore a ring on his right hand.

Any thoughts or opinions, or regrets are welcomed… thank you

[Jim DiSpagno]

If you’re going to do this you ourself, then by all means, have at it if you think yourself capable. It’s your gun and enjoy it

[6pt-Sika]

If you have intentions of selling it and thinking refinish will enhance the value you’re wasting your time .

[B. Dudley]

It doesnt look that bad to me.

[Mike Poindexter]

The pictures dont show the crack/split. If you have the skill to remove the stock and staple and accraglas the split, without buggering the screws or further damaging the wood, then you have enough skill to do pretty much anything you want to the finish and checkering. Frankly, that stock and checkering look better than 80% of the guns I've seen from that grade and era and I would leave them alone. Getting the barrels restored would be nice, if done properly, i.e. not buffed too brightly, but rust bluing is also a talent that comes with practice and knowing how an original untouched set looks is helpful to avoid mucking it up. Good luck whatever you choose to do!

[Mike Franzen]

You have to be a member of the PGCA to refinish a Parker. That one is a good candidate since it already has damage. It might look best leaving the metalwork as is and refreshing the stock finish to match the metal patina. That’s what the masters do.

[David Noble]

Originally Posted by Mike Franzen

You have to be a member of the PGCA to refinish a Parker.

That’s a new one on me!

[edgarspencer]

I agree with Brian. It doesn't look so bad at all, and probably better than most.
I also think Mike is on to something. If it isn't already, membership should be a prerequisite for refinishing, together with repercussions if not done well.

[charlie cleveland]

i would do as you said fix the stock good andrefinish as you desire.....charlie

[Alfred Greeson]

It looks good to me. Old scratches and dents add character and may just reflect good times that will not come again so I like to leave them as I find them, wood repair and careful taking down a rough finish and bringing it back with oil and elbow grease often is good enough. That gun is much nicer than my old 20 Trojan and I like it just the way it is. Just my preference. My 20 Model 12 was about a 95% gun and my Dad just had to have it so I let him enjoy and it is about a 65% gun now from his wear on it but I love it just the way he left it to me.