“She’s been in the closet for years and I don’t use it any more, would this be something you’d be interested in?” he asked as he entered my shop with this “Sleeping Beauty” in his hands.
Every once in a while I get what I call a “Sleeping Beauty”. A piece which doesn’t look all that amazing but has serious potential. My customer entered with his Remington 742 Woodmaster, looking to sell it. He was moving out of state and needed to trim down his possessions.
She was looking a bit rough and has definitely seen better days but, the craftsmanship on the stock was in good condition and the wood grain striking. With a bit of TLC and a personal touch, I felt I could bring her back to life.
First up was the grip cap. Made from a sheet of brass I had laying around, I engraved a seasoned buck surrounded with turn of the century style swirls and leaves framed by a cut & round border. Black antiquing allows the engraving to stand out sharp.
I sanded the stock, removing what surface blemishes I could and gave her a few coats of tongue oil.
A “Sleeping” beauty no longer.
