how to artificially age rifle stock?

americanworkmule · July 31, 2009, 03:12 AM

I was given a Hawken Rifle Kit and I want to turn it into a wall hanger.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to artificially age the rifle?

I was wanting to put some brass tacks to make it look like an old Indian rifle and a guy mentioned BRASS BLACK but what about the rest of the rifle, like the wood?

Thanks

jack404 · July 31, 2009, 05:05 AM

Stock

lye water
bacon fat and soapy steel wool and condies crystals

dab the bacon over the pre treated wood ( the odd bang with a iron bar etc )

not sanded or nothin ok ?

bacon fat soaks in far as will lye water and you want to sand it out

leave the wood for 2-3 mins in a warmish spot then wet it well with the lye water

leave the whole thing to dry

then get some condies crystals ( potassium permangernate) about 2 grams in a milk bottle with some dishwashing soap 2 grams and hot water to fill the quart bottle and add some iron filings or non stainless steel wool ( the cheap rusty kind is best)

leave this solution for a week

the condies and steel break down and mak a stain that will not go where the fat has soaked in and this replicates the aging

then paint the stock with this solution and wipe down

put next to heat after 5-15 minutes depending on how deep a stain you wish
, and dry the stock again

then sand

the patten lis natural and look like long term sweat and water staining

finsh the stock witha coat of french shillac in hot methylated sprits brushed on , a little at a time
smooth with as fine a grade wet and dry you can find and recoat, slowly building up a deep dark lustre until your happy

the metal fittings

PM me a email address and i'll send you a PDF on metal finishes and ageing,

there a bit big to send via here

cheers

jack

americanworkmule · July 31, 2009, 11:42 AM

I appreciate that Jack. Thanks a bunch!

It sounds just like the concoction that would do the trick!

W. C. Quantrill · August 1, 2009, 02:28 PM

Best way to age it is to use it. No fake treatment will replace what sunlight and water and natural grease will do.

MacGille · August 1, 2009, 05:43 PM

Shoot the hell out of it, drag it through fence lines and carry it in the woods. Use it, clean it, shoot it, drop it a few times. Or, send it to me and buy a plastic pirate gun to hang on your wall.

americanworkmule · August 2, 2009, 09:59 AM

Another guy sent this to help me out. Hope it helps someone else also.
Thanks,

Quote:

In previous articles, I have written about refreshing the appearance of firearms in order to make them look new. This time, I am going in reverse and taking a new, never-been-fired, replica 1860 Colt Army Cap & Ball Revolver and making it look old. I know… heresy. There is a method to my madness.

https://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=..._Ball_Revolver

July 31, 2009, 03:12 AM	#1
americanworkmule Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Posts: 38	how to artificially age rifle stock? I was given a Hawken Rifle Kit and I want to turn it into a wall hanger. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to artificially age the rifle? I was wanting to put some brass tacks to make it look like an old Indian rifle and a guy mentioned BRASS BLACK but what about the rest of the rifle, like the wood? Thanks

July 31, 2009, 11:42 AM	#3
americanworkmule Member Join Date: April 11, 2009 Posts: 38	Very Cool! I appreciate that Jack. Thanks a bunch! It sounds just like the concoction that would do the trick!

August 1, 2009, 02:28 PM	#4
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	Best way to age it is to use it. No fake treatment will replace what sunlight and water and natural grease will do. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

August 1, 2009, 05:43 PM	#5
MacGille Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2006 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 976	Shoot the hell out of it, drag it through fence lines and carry it in the woods. Use it, clean it, shoot it, drop it a few times. Or, send it to me and buy a plastic pirate gun to hang on your wall. __________________ If ye love wealth better than Liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animated contest of Freedom, go from us in Peace. We ask not your counsel or Arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. --Samuel Adams--<*ixoye><

July 31, 2009, 05:05 AM	#2
jack404 Member Join Date: July 29, 2009 Posts: 29	Stock lye water bacon fat and soapy steel wool and condies crystals dab the bacon over the pre treated wood ( the odd bang with a iron bar etc ) not sanded or nothin ok ? bacon fat soaks in far as will lye water and you want to sand it out leave the wood for 2-3 mins in a warmish spot then wet it well with the lye water leave the whole thing to dry then get some condies crystals ( potassium permangernate) about 2 grams in a milk bottle with some dishwashing soap 2 grams and hot water to fill the quart bottle and add some iron filings or non stainless steel wool ( the cheap rusty kind is best) leave this solution for a week the condies and steel break down and mak a stain that will not go where the fat has soaked in and this replicates the aging then paint the stock with this solution and wipe down put next to heat after 5-15 minutes depending on how deep a stain you wish , and dry the stock again then sand the patten lis natural and look like long term sweat and water staining finsh the stock witha coat of french shillac in hot methylated sprits brushed on , a little at a time smooth with as fine a grade wet and dry you can find and recoat, slowly building up a deep dark lustre until your happy the metal fittings PM me a email address and i'll send you a PDF on metal finishes and ageing, there a bit big to send via here cheers jack