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1894 Double

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 7:04 pm
by impala59
This is my 1894 Double that I picked up at a UK auction for £40 (about $50) It was in a fairly sad state and my first thought was to hang it on the wall. The stock was cracked through the hand right the way across. The checkering was worn away to completely smooth in places. There was a dent in the left barrel. I was surprised that the gun locked up tight on its face, indeed, the lever is still marginally to the right when locked. I inspected the various bearing surfaces expecting to find a lash-up job but there was nothing. As the dent was minor and the gun in proof, I taped up the stock and visited my local clay range and found that I had a gun which fitted me perfectly. The slim Prince of Wales stock (even wrapped in duck tape was the most comfortable I have ever found ) Using light 21g 7 1/2, felt wad loads I was hitting everything. I do like old doubles ( I also own a 1911 Ithaca 10g Flues) so I visited a barrel specialist who said other than the dent, which he could remove, and the external finish the barrels were in exceptional condition with perfect bores. I decided there and then to leave the barrels with him for a re-black and dent removal.
I discovered that Macon gunstocks (USA)could provide and would ship a replacement stock, but I loved the look of the wood I had, even under the grime, so decided to attempt a repair. I also contacted Remington who kindly dated it for me (1902)
When I stripped the gun down and checked all the working parts, everything was in perfect working order, but looking at the stock was a little daunting. However, I warmed it gently and got all the oil out of the cracks and cleaned it ready for gluing back together. I realised that the main crack was 45 degrees to the rear trigger guard screw. I opened up the screw hole in the wood to accept (interference fit) a steel roll pin that the screw could pass through as a snug fit and trimmed the roll pin to the correct length. I glued the roll pin in place with epoxy and glued the stock back together. I realised at this point that the crack was at a fairly shallow angle so that I could insert a second steel roll pin forward of the first, at 90 degrees to the crack. Of course, both of these pins are hidden by the tang and trigger plate. Left to cure for a few days I was happy that it now felt solid and was once more in one piece.
As the checkering was worn away, I decided not to attempt to re-do it and as I would only shoot light loads, it did not really seem necessary anyway. I proceeded to sand and smooth the stock finishing with 2000 grit wet and dry. Using OOO wire wool I applied 10 coats of Danish oil sealing with a tiny amount of Vaseline to give it a slight sheen. This was my first gunstock project and I am very happy with the results. Refitting my newly blacked barrels gave me a double that would grace any grouse or pheasant shoot.
This one is a definite keeper, including all materials. labour and the price of the gun, it has cost me about £170 (about $200) I have been offered much more for it but this ones staying with me! I guess they really knew how to build them back then, can't think of many things 116 years old that still serve the same purpose and perform perfectly
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1902 vintage 1894
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Back from the barrel blacker!
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compared to my modern Russian Baikal
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Re: 1894 Double

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 8:23 pm
by mauser9
Super job on that wood Impala. The wood is truly awesome. Not sure what grade yours are but I read the 16 and 10 gauge are more rare. According to my Blue Book Remington made 41,194 from 1894-1910. Be great to hunt with this vintage shotgun.

Re: 1894 Double

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:20 pm
by John A.
Lovely.

You did a really good restoration job.