First off I'd like to say thanks to the members for helping me determine the condition (well used), grade (G), with cut replacement barrels and a little history of my never to be a collectable again, 1907 Parker. Even though she's not a collectable I am determined to get her back into shooting shape and spiff her up.
I'm starting with the stock. Many thanks to Brian Dudley for posting disassembly pictures here. They and many post on this forum made disassembly a breeze (and yes I used the correct screw drivers
). There's no hint of the original finish on the stock and it has the cross bolt repair at the wrist someone else did with an obvious crack down the center to the right side. The checkering is worn badly but this stock isn't worth the cost of re-checkering so I'm going to leave it as is. I softened up the plastic wood that filled the 3/8 hole for the cross bolt with lacquer thinner and removed it. Then I took the cross bolt out to find it to be the only support for the crack. Then I started the stripping (I used that non toxic orange stripper that worked great) and degreasing (the heat gun carefully applied, with the aide of acetone did most of the work). I won't bore you with the details but let's just say I was at it for days. I'm finally satisfied that I've got all the oil out that I'm going to get out of the stock. After reading many post on this forum I have successfully repaired the crack and I am ready to start refinishing.
I've read that Parker stocks of this period have a reddish tint that was added by using a stain made of linseed oil mixed with either Dragons Blood or Alkanet powder and a Japan dryer to get the reddish color. Is that correct? Or at least correct enough to get the reddish color I'm looking for? Which coloring agent would you use?
After I decide what stain concoction I'm going to use, I'm going to use amber shellac because I've read most of Brian Dudley's posts and he says that's what Parker used. But I can't decide what method to use. I'm leaning towards the French Polish method. But I would love for Brian to respond as to the method he uses to apply the amber shellac (hint, hint). His work I've seen on this forum is spectacular.
Also Brian, if you choose to respond, I'd like to know what dye you use on the checkering I saw in one of your very informative posts. I think it would enhance the appearance of my very worn checkering. Also, what tool do you use to apply it without the dye bleeding out beyond the checkering? Maybe tape to the edge and a thick dye and a small sponge???
Thanks in advance for any ideas and or responses,
Dave
Parker stock colors
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