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Feature Projects
Check out highlights from our recent firearm restoration projects
below! Click on the pictures to show a larger version.
Restoration of an 1866 Winchester Yellow Boy
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BEFORE RESTORATION
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This
rifle came to us in very poor condition. The following parts were missing:
Left and right side-plates, side-plate screw, loading gate, loading gate screw, finger lever screw, left and right
toggles. There was absolutely no trace of original bluing or case hardening coloration left on the ferrous metal parts. The
barrel flats were not sharp and were somewhat rounded. Both the barrel and magazine tube had moderate rust
pitting over their entire surface areas. The hammer, trigger, and finger lever had been annealed at some
point in the past. The hammer “full cock” notch was almost completely gone.
The trigger sear-tip was partially chipped. Most of the screw head slots were
badly chipped or pretty much non-existent. The wood showed evidence of mild singing from exposure to a
fire or excessive heat. There were several cracks on the fore-arm.
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AFTER RESTORATION
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The photos at left show the final restored gun. The replacement side-plates were manufactured by us and were
fabricated using original 19th century “gun-metal” material. The
loading gate was also fabricated in our shop. Missing screws were also made in our shop. The replacement bolt toggles are from an original
model 1873 Winchester (though not the gun being restored). All other parts are original.
We repaired existing damaged screws by welding additional metal onto the heads, then shaping and
slitting them back to the original dimensions. This process was also applied to the hammer notches and
trigger sear tip. All of our welding is done by Pete Nagel at Restorative Welding of
Oregon, IL.
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Re-finish & Nickle Clawfoot Tub Feet
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We've recently added nickling to our list of services.
One of our first projects in this area was not a gun, but refinishing the feet from an antique clawfoot tub. These feet
had multiple layers of paint on them, and some rust. They were originally painted, and as a result the cast iron was
a rough sand cast.
The sand stayed in the grooves and resulted in a dark highlighting of the pattern.
A nice antique look! The foot on the left was our starting point. The right foot shows the finished product.
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