something different for stock endcaps?

[spitfire_er]

I'm finishing up another rifle and got everything put together but have yet to finish the stock. I'm looking for ideas for something really nice looking for my old fajen thumbhole stock. It never was finished and i was lucky enough to find it but it is a bare walnut stock, grain in nothing fancy, but it needs something for it to pop.

I've done ebony and spalted maple before, not a fan of rosewood. Any ideas? I thought about making some fitted metal caps and doing a deep blue to match the receiver but i know i would nick that up in a hurry.

 

[firearmdoc1]

If you want something different, what about casting a pewter cap like the original Sharps?

 

[spitfire_er]

that sounds like something up my alley!

 

[madderg]

Look up Paduak, it's a great color contrast.

 

[clowdis]

On a few occasions I have seen horn endcaps and buttplates that were pretty neat, mostly on European rifles.

 

[broncman]

I started to say horn as well. Black buffalo horn that has some of the grey streaks looks real nice on walnut. Knifemakers supply houses carry some neat material for items like that.

 

[katokoch]

Macassar ebony.

 

[Glenn Powell]

For out of the box thinking, have you thought of True Ivory? I used it for the end cap of a buffalo powder horn for my black powder. Its a bit on the spendy side though, but you can get it in different ages , a nice new look or older yellowing.? Easy to work with too.

 

[spitfire_er]

Horn sounds like a neat idea. I suppose you would treat it kinda like wood and just polish when its shaped?

Just out of curiosity where would you get ivory and how much? I did have an old Rem model 30 that had a chunk in but i think it was an elk tooth.

Thanks for all the ideas, i have looked at that Padduak before but can never remember the name.

I think I'm going to try the pewter thing. I did some research and i think that will look cool. I'll post some pics when i get it done hopefully in a week or two.

 

[Glenn Powell]

Its actually plastic, the same stuff they use for pistol grips, looks and feels like ivory. Tru-Ivory is the company, been a while since I got any and can't remember the price, all I remember is it ain't cheep. I just called em up and placed an order for the size and thickness I wanted. Works great for knife handles too, if ya would like some pics pm me an email address and I can send ya some, photo bucket and me don't get along too well.

 

[treeman]

+1 for macassar ebony I have some that has more of the dark color and less light color makes really nice forendtips and grip caps

 

[tinkerer]

Cocobolo.

Larry
Tinkerer

 

[spitfire_er]

thanks for the ideas. i went with pewter, ill post some "in the rough" pics soon.

 

[spitfire_er]

Here are a couple early photos. I've done quite a bit of work since these, but haven't gotten any photos on my computer yet.

Anybody have any good ideas on how to finish this one?

 

[doc gordon]

cocobolo has nice contrast and is very strong !!

 

[firearmdoc1]

That's pretty cool! You should be able to stain and finish your stock as usual with no problem. Polish the pewter to whatever grit you desire, and after finishing,just use denatured alcohol to clean stain,or excessive finish off the pewter with a Q-tip. This will work for tru-oil, or other oil type finishes.Not sure how it would work with other types of finish such as polyurethane.

 

[spitfire_er]

thanks, i was thinking most likely oil of some sort for this one. i've clear coated a few in the past that turned out great, but wasnt quite sure if that would be the way to go with this one being it will be a hunting rifle.

 

[firearmdoc1]

Oil finishes are much easier to repair if you ever damaged the finish in some way, not to mention they have a classy look.

 

[spitfire_er]

yeah, ive done a ton of stocks in oil but was unsure of how much i will be able to build it up due to the wood and pewter being flush. I like the look of high gloss finish andi know it takes forever, guess ill just have to start in and see how far i can get. Not sure yet on the polish level on the metal, guess ill know it when i see it looks right.

 

[firearmdoc1]

What type of oil do you use for finishing?