N - Frame stock issues.

[MAG-NUM]

There is something going on with these stocks that I have not seen before. When I purchased this gun (model 29-2) I noticed the the varnish on the otherwise perfect stocks was slightly tacky near the cylinder relief area. I wiped them down with a clean rag and applied a coat of Renaissance wax. As soon as the wax was dry this splotchy rash appeared as shown in the pictures. The areas in question were not tacky after application of the wax. (this gun was just out of roughly 25 years of storage) There was a little area on both grips. As you handle the gun, the lightness seems to go away but after another coat of wax, it has returned. Has anyone seen this before and what can I do to resolve it? Thanks, Bob

 

[Hawg Rider]

Looks like the original varnish/shellac was exposed to some type of solvent, especially if it was a little sticky. Heat, age, and finger wear will cause similar crackling over time, but this is pretty localized. I wonder if the original owner left some solvent on the stocks when it went into storage, or tried to clean the stocks with some acetone or other solvent when the revolver came out of storage.

 

[Sebago Son]

Note that the issues have mostly appeared in the end grain of the stocks. This is pretty common. Either the wood has exuded an oil after the finish was applied and this oil has gotten under the finish, or insufficient finish was applied originally to completely seal the end grain. I've seen examples of both.

The easiest way to deal with this is to ignor it.

Next would be to send the stocks off to somebody who knows what they are doing (I've used "DWFan" extensively) who will refinish and reseal the wood.

The last possiblity would be to undertake the excercise yourself, but I doubt that you will be able to preserve all of the origional finish on the stocks.

For me, I usually adopt option no. 1. "Wood Happens".

Drew
1802

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I got a few grips off ebay and in my case the varnish was just applied and the gun oils prevented the varnish to dry.

ebay....

 

[Nanook 450]

I'll second DWFan . . . he's done several for me and has some serious skill. The learning curve to restore grips is steep - looks like that revolver deserves a nice set.