Lyman in white

Here's some pictures of my Lyman GPR (.54) "in white". I inlayed the cheek piece with a hunter's star that I cut from German Silver. The star is acented at the NE'ly, SE'ly, SW'ly and NW'ly points with Brass wire. The walnut stock was filled with black artists oil paint, then stained with 2 coats Laurel Mtn. Cherry and 1 coat Laurel Mtn. Lancaster Maple. To date I have 5 coats of boiled linseed oil. Next is the metal. I'm still trying to decide whether to brown the steel furniture and barrel or to go with a "French Grey" patina. I'm experimenting with some suggestions from this group.




Scott

That wood came out amazing. I've never heard of filling with oil paint. How did you do it? Wipe it on then off? Let it dry, then sand? I really like that effect. Your choice of stains really work well too.

WOW, nice stock !!!!!!!

I found that technique on another discussion group. It was pointed out that the old time gunsmiths would use olive oil mixed with soot to fill a walnut stock and that modern artist oil pain is essentially the same. I spread the paint on the stock before staining it, completely covering it and rubbing it in. Let it dry a bit then wipe off. I only let it dry for about 5-10 minutes, I should have let it dry a bit longer. Anyway, the more you rub it back the more the grain comes out. Certain areas I didn't rub back as much, striving to achieve an aged look. I still have some work to do in a few areas, but over all I like the look.
Scott

These pictures were taken in the shade. The stock is actually a bit redder. Here is another picture of the cheekpiece, and gets closer to its true color=



Scott

Scott,
Now that I have seen it in real life, I would leave it in the white or see how your "graying" trials go. It would really be complimented by the german silver inlays in gray or in the white.

Looking forward to seeing it and you again!

Brett

Beautiful job, Scott!! :hatsoff:
I cut a raised cheekpiece in mine and I love it. Yours looks better, and the inlay is sweet!!

That is one of the nicest looking GPR's I have seen, I would go for a patina on the metal myself but that is just the finish that I like the best, I think the brown on a barrel overpowers the stock color and leaves little in the way of contrast either way you have a keeper there ..very nice work.

Please let us know which method you use for the gray. I was using mustard to achieve a Damascene looking finish.

I would like to get a more uniform and smooth gray for a future project.

CS

I'm with Brett. I think the metal should stay somewhat bright to keep from getting lost in that wood.

That's an amazing job. I'm just getting started on a GPR for my mother's pastor. I think I'm going to try the oil paint technique on it. Thanks for the great pics and explanations.

Well the way it looks i would go with the french gray!! or else nearly black blue. Its a beauty!!

Thanks for all your comments! Ok, I'm convinced. I'll keep the metal in a lighter finish rather than to brown it. Now to just figure out how to do it... :hmm:

Scott

Plink,
I've also read that some builders will use black spray paint to acheive the same effect. I went with artists oil paint because it was closer to a traditional method. After rubbing back to where you like it, I would let the paint dry, probably several days, before applying stain and finish. Otherwise the paint will tend to come off. Good luck with your project, and let us know how it comes out.
Scott

I'll post pics if I have any worthy of posting. I'm sure I'll be back asking about metal finishes too.

When I was cleaning off the excess paint, I first used a dry rag and wiped most of it off. I then used isopropyl alcohol to finish rubbing it back. May not be the only way, but that is what I did. Also, once the stock was stained, I burnished it with a deer antler. That really laid down what few fuzzy hairs were sticking up.
Scott

Your Lyman is a fine example of taking a regular production rifle, and turning it into a true classic, that would stand with a much more expensive custom rifle.
Congradulations to fine work!

Best Regards

Old Ford

That looks amazing! Makes me want to refinish mine.

I would go with the gray metal, like everyone else suggested. Makes a stunning contrast.
:bow:

Love that star also!!

Thanks Old Ford, you're making me blush! :redface:

Scott

I'm experimenting with a couple techniques for achieving a gray finish. I'll keep you posted on how it comes out. Thanks for all the comments guys!

Scott

Wow
All I can say is that it turned out wonderful!
very nice!