An Old Look

[ipyrek]

I see most gun owners want to make or keep there guns looking new. That is how I like  to keep mine, but I also like the old,well used look. So that is what I want to do with one of my H&R pardner single. Maybe brown the barrel and receiver and give the stock a well used look somehow. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Dee]

Well, the way I have always done it, was by USIN'EM. There are Model 94 Winchesters out there that are older than my almost 53 year old 3030, but mine has been USED for that 53 years. I have a Model 92 Winchester clone that is about 6 years old now. It was the Deluxe version from Navy Arms. I have carried the heck out of it, and it looks worn and used.
It never occurred to me to intentionally scratch, dent, or scrub the finish off a gun. When I look at mine, that look that way it's because I loved their feel, and reliability, and their looks, when they were new. Those scratches, dents, and wear all represent memories.
I do suppose however, you could sand the finish off, and drag it behind your four wheeler instead of carrying it.  

[anweis]

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

1. Unload firearm. Remove optical sights.
2. Oil bore and essential functional parts. Sand off synthetic wood finishes.
3. Place firearm on the ground and urinate on it. Leave firearm on the ground for 6 days. Turn firearm on the other side and repeat procedure.
4. Find a pile of gravel and cover and uncover firearm with gravel repeatedly.
5. Find pile of sand and repeat as in step 4. Drag firearm on sand and gravel.
6. Tie a string on firearm and take long hikes through woods while pulling firearm behind. Rough trails with rocks and boulders are better.
7. Wash firearm with hot water and soap, let dry.
8. Apply light coat of oil or beeswax on wood, oil and wipe metal parts.

[Dee]

Damn anweis! It would be easier to buy a gun from an estate, that someone else loved and carried. What your proposin sounds like work. 

[ipyrek]

Ha!Ha! These are all good and funny. But seriusly though. I havn't had any gun long enough to have aged it over time, and I do not want something all beatup. I know I sound like I'm getting picky now.

[Mikey]

ipyrek:  give it time friend, give it time.  Old and well used are the looks favoured by many, but abused does not belong in the same statement line if ya want my opinion. 

I s'pose that if ya want it to look used, then take it out and use it, a lot.  I would handload for it, and hit the range with it as often as possible.  Everytime I finish at the range I would clean it and oil up the stock a bit - nothing makes it look old, loved and used more than a old, well oiled stock.  The more often, or longer that barrel heats up from shooting and direct sunlight the more it will seem the metal 'ages'.  I have a Winchester AE Big Bore in 444 that I shoot a lot, oil the stock a lot and let it get good and hot at the range.  I think she's 'gettin' there' .........jmtcw.

[ipyrek]

Mikey, what kind of oil do you recomend on the stock?

[gunnut69]

I would reccomend something like OKENE from Pratt&Lambert.. its a french oil a mix of linseed, tung, and pine oils.. Its very thin and will soak into wood and keep it from drying out.. without too much buildup. A coat of wax before hunting season will protect the wood (and metal). The rubbing does almost as much as the material..