We hope you enjoy this multi-part blog series on the restoration of a 1921 Parker BHE 12 gauge shotgun. Do you have questions about the process of gun restoration? Feel free to ask in the comments section below, or drop us a line.
Day 10: Stock Refinishing
Day 10, Step 1
1) After a final sanding, the pores will be filled, the wood is stained, and then the finishes are applied.
Day 10, Step 2
2) Using its proprietary stain mixture, the woodworker evenly applies this over the stock to ensure a uniform finish.
Day 10, Step 5
5) The stock is placed in a dust-free heating cabinet to help keep the stock clean while the stain fully dries.
Day 10, Step 8
8) Finally, a rubbing-compound finish completes the process by eliminating any dust particles that might have set in.
Day 11: Checkering the Buttstock
Day 11, Step 4
4) Here is a single-line cutter, which is one of only a few tools used during the process.
Day 11, Step 10
10) Here is a top view of the stock. You can see that the pattern is wrapped around the top and also goes underneath.
Day 12: More Checkering
Parker BHE 12 Gauge Restoration: The Full Process
Days 1-3: making a new buttstock, fitting the stock to the receiver, fitting the skeleton buttplate
Days 4-6: last day of inletting, polishing the barrels, inletting the gold shield
Days 7-9: re-cutting the barrel engraving, polishing the action, rust bluing the barrels
Days 10-12: stock refinishing, checkering the buttstock, finishing up the checkering
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This installment of Restoration Resources appears in our Shoot History e-magazine. If you'd like to see more stories like these while learning about classic firearms preservation, head over to Shoot History. Be sure to hit the subscribe button while you're there.