So,new guy here..Certainly not new to guns or shooting..I was lucky to buy several 1870's percussion pieces at an auction a few days ago..One was a 12 gauge shotgun...All the metals in good shape,but the stock is awful.
It's literally destroyed between the hammers and the barrel,literally,nothing holding it together but the trigger guard,the barrel tang,and,no kidding,a piece of a tin can..
Now,I'm more than a little talented,I replaced some wood,made custom plugs from walnut for the screw holes,got it back in one piece..
Now my dilemma..There are other damaged areas that don't affect the ability to shoot it,but I've already glued it together like a broken toy,sanded the wood I added,and honestly,the buttstock looks like it was tarred with a broom..
Should I preserve what's there,or fix it all and refinish it?
It's literally destroyed between the hammers and the barrel,literally,nothing holding it together but the trigger guard,the barrel tang,and,no kidding,a piece of a tin can..
Now,I'm more than a little talented,I replaced some wood,made custom plugs from walnut for the screw holes,got it back in one piece..
Now my dilemma..There are other damaged areas that don't affect the ability to shoot it,but I've already glued it together like a broken toy,sanded the wood I added,and honestly,the buttstock looks like it was tarred with a broom..
Should I preserve what's there,or fix it all and refinish it?