Flint bench gun finished using the Mike Brooks method

[chapmans]

  I finished this flint bench gun and it was picked up last night, the owner was very pleased. I used black spray paint suggested by Mike Brooks and while I didn't like sanding it off especially in all of the knooks and crannys the end result was to my liking. I would do it again, I have had people ask how it would look if different colors were used? I don't know if I would be brave enough to try. I had him bring the sights to make sure everything lined up.













   This gun was built in 1982 and the old stock was split and cracked in several spots plus it didn't have the rest on the toe I wish I had taken before and after pics.
   Steve C.

[Don Getz]

Steve.....this is a rather modern style gun to warrant the use of black paint, I immediately wondered why you would do it.
It does work in well with that Morgan Butt pad.   It appears that a piece of wood is  missing on the left side of the tang,
what happened here?..............Don

[northup87]

Don I think that recess on the left side is for the rear sight appature. Its in the photos above but not the last two...

[chapmans]

Don,
  Northup87 is correct, it is cut out for the sight. As for the black paint I was looking for a way to fill the grain,  this was suggested, it worked well but I don't know if it saved any time, but I like the look and would not hesitate to use this method on any walnut stock.
  Regards, Steve C.

[Mike Brooks]

I have never sanded the paint off, I use 0000 steel wool as soon as the paint turns tacky. You let the paint sit on there an hour or more and it's very difficult to remove.

[chapmans]

Mike....... this was my first time with the paint, I will try the steel wool method next time. This time I let it dry over night so yes it was difficult to sand but I still like the way it turned out. Thanks for the advice.
  Steve C.

[flintman-tx]

Always had a weakness for these big barrel guns. Who made the barrel ?

[chapmans]

 Kenny Breisein (sp)

[flintman-tx]

As good a barrel maker as they get!!!

[Larry Pletcher]

I was over to Steve's on Tuesday and have another photo to add:



I liked the color of the stock and the owner to the gun was equally pleased.  Steve did a very nice job on this rifle.

Regards,
Pletch

[B Shipman]

Like the yard as well.

[Larry Pletcher]

Like the yard as well.

Hi Bill,
Ya, Steve has a cool place.  His property backs up against the Gene Stratton Porter Historic site on Sylvan Lake (northern Indiana).  There's a sizeable amount of low, wet Indiana forest between Steve and the lake. Very nice wildlife habitat.

Gene Stratton Porter was a well known Indiana author, writing books during the early 20th century.  Many were about her wanderings in the forest around Sylvan Lake.

I don't think Steve will mind that I replied; he has an irregular work schedule and won't see this until later tonight.

Regards,
Pletch

[Michael]

Just think what Timothy Murphy could have done at Saratoga with a rifle like that!!!

Michael