Opinions needed about Patina vs Polish

[Oldetexian]

This is about the Lil' Beast. If you've seen the photos you know the stock is beat to hell and back. I immediately thought "this is a great project that even I can handle."  I will refinish the stock and restore the coach gun to a piece of deadly beauty. Since then, my son and several others have said "No! don't do it."

It could be my son recognizes my lack of craftsmanship (which is true), but they all say that a gun like that looks far better with all the nicks, scrapes and gouges intact. That kind of "real life" patina is too beautiful to waste...

SO, gentle readers, leave your mark. Which is better? Beat-to-Hell, rough and ready patina? or spit and polish refinish like (well, sorta like) new?

[prairie dog]

If it was an original gun I wouldn't touch it.
But it isn't, its a cheap reproduction.  I would clean, polish, and refinish it.  Have done so with several CVA beaters and they all worked out nice!

[Ohio Joe]

I agree with Steve, so,,, make'r look beautiful! 

[Oldetexian]

Appreciate you guys sounding off on cleaning up the Lil' Beast. For whatit's worth, My wife said you were both absolutely right. She thinks another project will keep me out of her hair. At least, that is her hope.

[Ohio Joe]

It's a wise woman that knows how to keep her husband from being underfoot! 

[Stormrider51]

Another vote for a refinish.  Take it slow.  Do it right.  Enjoy the project.
John

[Oldetexian]

Thanks, Storm. I definitely plan on taking it slow. As I have mentioned, I am not the craftiest person on the block, but I want the Lil' Beast to really turn out nice. So, I am going to get lots of advice. In fact, I have a friend who cuts his own trees, saws and dries the lumber and then does custom cabinets, etc. He has already looked at the gun and said he would help me "do it right."

Once I get home from this trip I will disassemble it and strip the varnish (or whatever that dark stain is). And after that, the fun will truly begin. And I want to share pictures along the way.

[Nessmuk]

Tex,
        Keep us posted on your progress. I might be following  in your footsteps with my CVA squirrel . Not until  winter though, it's  shooting season  now. 

[Oldetexian]

Funny you should mention that it's shooting season...I was fantasizing about taking down a turkey with the Lil' Beast...lol  Of course, not many toms are going to be willing to come within 20 yards without some hardcore turkey porn...anyway makes for a good fantasy...

[Oldetexian]

Here's a brief update on the refinishing of the Lil Beast. I disassembled her, but before I attempted to take the finish of I showed to stock to a semi-professional woodworking friend. He offered his assistance (and of course I would have been a fool to refuse).

He's fairly sure the stock is curly maple, but he's still doing some research to make sure. He is having a blast working on it, and although I have offered to help in any way possible, he says thanks, but he is having too much fun.

The truth is that he's a perfectionist and I know the stock will be a thing of wonderment and beauty when it's finished. I have taken some photos, but they are too large to load. Once I get them resized I will post them.