So I've been playing with oil finishes

[rookhawk]

Nice looking sticks of wood you got there!

Thank you. I consider that obscure model to be one of the best bargains in mass produced shotguns. Extra lightweight, Understated metal finishes, reliable, servicable, and the guns sell for about what the value of the wood blanks are worth.

I generally use it as rainy day gun or a guest gun. Way better to hand a guest something that looks dignified than a plastic and camo nonsense for equal cost.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just passing on some results of what you get.

The shotgun at the back is my sons. It had a bit of roadrash on it before we purchased it and it was also high gloss. I built up Timberluxe on it and got rid of most of the wear. The one in the front is mine (same make and model, just longer). It had very thirsty wood and was less than satin finish when it arrived. I used Timberluxe without shaking it trying to bring it to more than satin, closer to semi-gloss to match the one at the back.

Before you chastise me for more than a warm London glow, these are Italian field guns and a bit more "pimpiness" is to be expected versus the understated British finish.

Conclusion: Timberluxe can do either matte, Satin, or semi-gloss all based on how you work with it.

View attachment 727211

View attachment 727210

wow almost a tiger eye look

 

[steve white]

Just passing on some results of what you get.

The shotgun at the back is my sons. It had a bit of roadrash on it before we purchased it and it was also high gloss. I built up Timberluxe on it and got rid of most of the wear. The one in the front is mine (same make and model, just longer). It had very thirsty wood and was less than satin finish when it arrived. I used Timberluxe without shaking it trying to bring it to more than satin, closer to semi-gloss to match the one at the back.

Before you chastise me for more than a warm London glow, these are Italian field guns and a bit more "pimpiness" is to be expected versus the understated British finish.

Conclusion: Timberluxe can do either matte, Satin, or semi-gloss all based on how you work with it.

View attachment 727211

View attachment 727210

Great depth achieved.

 

[HunterX]

Thank you. I consider that obscure model to be one of the best bargains in mass produced shotguns. Extra lightweight, Understated metal finishes, reliable, servicable, and the guns sell for about what the value of the wood blanks are worth.

I generally use it as rainy day gun or a guest gun. Way better to hand a guest something that looks dignified than a plastic and camo nonsense for equal cost.

What are those shotguns? Beautiful picture but I couldn’t find a reference to brand and model. Always appreciate nice shotguns.

 

[Adam S]

What are those shotguns? Beautiful picture but I couldn’t find a reference to brand and model. Always appreciate nice shotguns.

I would be interested to know the model also. Thanks for the tip on Timberluxe. I don't have any guns that could use a refinish, maybe I should find an old tired one to give this a try.

 

[BonUm16]

What are those shotguns? Beautiful picture but I couldn’t find a reference to brand and model. Always appreciate nice shotguns.

I would be interested to know the model also. Thanks for the tip on Timberluxe. I don't have any guns that could use a refinish, maybe I should find an old tired one to give this a try.

They look to my eye to be Beretta Black Onyx.

 

[HunterX]

Thank you. I consider that obscure model to be one of the best bargains in mass produced shotguns. Extra lightweight, Understated metal finishes, reliable, servicable, and the guns sell for about what the value of the wood blanks are worth.

I generally use it as rainy day gun or a guest gun. Way better to hand a guest something that looks dignified than a plastic and camo nonsense for equal cost.

Which models and manufacturer are they? Everyone is curious now.

 

[steve white]

I would be interested to know the model also. Thanks for the tip on Timberluxe. I don't have any guns that could use a refinish, maybe I should find an old tired one to give this a try.

You can always give it a try on your buddies gun. Seems we all have one that treats their gun like a farm implement. I refinished a stock, lengthened a forcing cone and rust blued a single barrel shotgun for a buddy, throwing in a light barrel honing. It was his first gun as a child. Probably invested multiple times its worth, all free of charge for a friend. Handed it back to him in better than new condition. But he felt like it was Christmas in July!

Same for my grandfather. He had an old cheap Damascus shotgun that he had to twist a wire to keep sufficiently closed. Cracked the stock at the wrist hitting a wounded rabbit on the head to save another shell.... Also had managed to have the fore end rot off, but had the metal. It reminded me of the famous dog name "lucky." I dressed it up, and promptly told him to hang it up over the mantle, as I did not trust the Damascus. (this, although as a teen, I had fired it multiple times at rabbits, yes, freshly wiring it back up between shots. He had told me to use "low brass" shells. Shiver me timbers.)

 

[rookhawk]

What are those shotguns? Beautiful picture but I couldn’t find a reference to brand and model. Always appreciate nice shotguns.

These are a gun labeled "Orvis Uplander" which was just a plain jane Beretta 680 Series action. But they were made to order with exhibition grade wood, English grips, screw in chokes, and they weigh a pound less than the Beretta version. The best part is they are not fake engraved, they are understated and lack the distasteful coin finish and acid etching of the official Beretta version.

I can't say enough nice things about them. They typically sell for the value of the wood.

Made from around 1985-1995.

 

[Altitude sickness]

BERETTA ORVIS WATERFOWLER/626 ONYX MAGNUM 12-GAUGE/28" BARRELS. for sale

BERETTA ORVIS WATERFOWLER/626 ONYX MAGNUM 12-GAUGE/28" BARRELS. for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Very nice

 

[rookhawk]

BERETTA ORVIS WATERFOWLER/626 ONYX MAGNUM 12-GAUGE/28" BARRELS. for sale

BERETTA ORVIS WATERFOWLER/626 ONYX MAGNUM 12-GAUGE/28" BARRELS. for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Very nice

The Beretta SxS retailed by Orvis is very, very rare. (its a silver hawk rebranded) The problem with your example that absolutely kills its value is Weight: 7lbs. 6ozs. and Length of Pull: 13".

 

[HunterX]

These are a gun labeled "Orvis Uplander" which was just a plain jane Beretta 680 Series action. But they were made to order with exhibition grade wood, English grips, screw in chokes, and they weigh a pound less than the Beretta version. The best part is they are not fake engraved, they are understated and lack the distasteful coin finish and acid etching of the official Beretta version.

I can't say enough nice things about them. They typically sell for the value of the wood.

Made from around 1985-1995.

Thank you!

 

[rookhawk]

Thank you!

You're welcome. For the over/under versions built by Beretta and labeled "Orvis", there are two different ones.

The Uplander, which came in 12 and 20. The 20s are worth a LOT more than the 12s because they are very lightweight.

The waterfowler was a 12 gauge with 3" chambers and a pistol grip. Wonderful clays and do-all guns in their own right.

Be careful, "Orvis Uplander" and "Orvis Waterfowler" names have been reused countless times on a variety of O/U and Sxs brands of guns they sold. My praise is specifically for the Beretta 680 series actions above.

 

[HunterX]

@rookhawk If someone wanted a project shotgun, maybe in 28 Gauge, and they had a manual stock duplicator, and they wanted to swap out the wood for Super Fancy grade Turkish walnut, what kind of vintage shotgun would make sense to put the effort into? I have seen a ton of Parker’s online, but is there a brand or model that would be worth it? I saw that Cabela’s has a CZ Teal side by side with case coloring for $500 right now, which comes in 28 gauge. For pure practice it would work, but it would be more fun to fix up an American classic maybe. Over under or side by side. Thoughts? (Oh, and I picked up some of the recommended finish, looking forward to trying it out). Thanks!

 

[HunterX]

Maybe this wood, with an English straight grip.

 

[rookhawk]

@rookhawk If someone wanted a project shotgun, maybe in 28 Gauge, and they had a manual stock duplicator, and they wanted to swap out the wood for Super Fancy grade Turkish walnut, what kind of vintage shotgun would make sense to put the effort into? I have seen a ton of Parker’s online, but is there a brand or model that would be worth it? I saw that Cabela’s has a CZ Teal side by side with case coloring for $500 right now, which comes in 28 gauge. For pure practice it would work, but it would be more fun to fix up an American classic maybe. Over under or side by side. Thoughts? (Oh, and I picked up some of the recommended finish, looking forward to trying it out). Thanks!

A vintage 28 gauge shotgun of any quality at all is so rare we're talking about 5-figure guns.

Modern 28 gauge shotguns of modest cost are so disgustingly overbuilt as to be totally useless. In the modern era, most mass-producers of guns make only two actions, a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge. A 28 gauge barrel has to be so large and heavy to fit on a 20 gauge, they really suck.

There was a gun for around $1500 made in Turkey, the Dickenson Arms that comes in 28 gauge and is built on a scaled 28 gauge frame. I couldn't stock a shotgun for 3x the price of that entire gun.

In short, restocking guns almost never pays off. A vintage gun that has been restocked is worth half. So if You have a $30k shotgun and the stock is broken, then you spend $6000 restocking it properly, your $36,000 in costs has produced a $16,000 shotgun.


The more practical approach is find a shotgun you like that has fugly wood and recut the checkering, grain fill, and put an exceptional finish on it. It will look a lot better, and its a lot less wasted labor.

 

[Wyfox]

@rookhawk
FYI, In this video Johny is at Orvis and they talk about the old "Uplander" guns from the custom shop.

 

[Tintin]

Based on your recommendation last year I used Timberluxe on my sidelock. I think I ended up with 8 coats. It looks fantastic.

Great job @Wyfox - you'll have to give it a try on the cart

 

[HunterX]

I got a CZ over under in 28 gauge for the kids…and it seems to be much smaller than my 20 gauges. The wood is meh, but it’s a lot of fun to shoot and after 50-75 rounds my shoulder doesn’t hurt.

So I figured I’d ask. I’ll keep an eye out for a Dickenson.

I will be doing all the stock work myself, so the cost for me is a blank I already have for $300 one of those incredible finds at Champlins a 50 year old piece of English walnut, some sandpaper, a silvers pad I already have and some of that oil finish. I own a manual stock duplicator, that has what I need to do shotgun stocks, and that’s where the blood and sweat equity will come in.

It’s about practice as much as getting money back. But I really appreciate the feedback very much!

 

[HunterX]

Looks like buds Gunshop still has some of those for the same price. Thanks for the hint!

https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/double+barrel+shotguns/manu/3604