2ND TIME IS BETTER (pics)

**ImAfossil** · July 25th, 2017, 07:52 AM

The givens:

Close to 50 years old, my Spanish 20ga.
Bought the sxs for 20 dollars brand new.
The gun listed for $100, but was mismarked as a 12 ga.
Hunted this 20 hard for forty years, it was only a $20 firearm.
Refinished it once. Looked like I did it with a paint brush.

Then 4 years ago, I took an interest in Spanish shot gun making. It's been a fun trip.

Eiber Spain
Maker, Eusebio Arazaga (Arizaga)
Mfg. date 1967
Newly refinished and a lot better job. There are lots of mistakes, but now she (not it) has new life. Not perfect, but much better.

Fossil

Pics----not in order, but I hope you can tell the difference.
Before: The shotgun, the pressed checkering, the action
After: I hope I am not disciplined for a two toned stock (pistol grip), hi gloss and recut two tone checkering.

**psweigle** · July 25th, 2017, 08:28 AM

Nice job on the checkering. How long did it take?

**ImAfossil** · July 25th, 2017, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by psweigle

Nice job on the checkering. How long did it take?

Cutting the checkering will give you bad nerves. Compounding this was the different color of stain. I was in over my head. I used a 90 degree single line cutting tool. One little slip and SCRATCH for the world to see.
Probably 30 hours, due to the two tone and single line. I moved very very, very slowly. A summary on the checkering--I GOT VERY LUCKY !
fossil

**cdi** · July 25th, 2017, 01:40 PM

Nice work. Says a lot about your capacity for patience.
Now knock it off; I'M woiking dis side of da street.

**psweigle** · July 25th, 2017, 03:17 PM

Yeah, I don't have a steady hand or the patience to even try it. You should be very proud of the work you have done. You have transformed that $20 investment into something special for sure.

**ImAfossil** · July 25th, 2017, 04:10 PM

I believe they call this patina, but for me it had to go. This was my starting point in the restoration.

My goal was not to harm the original engraving. Using a witch's brew of Hoppes #9, vinegar, baking soda, etc ; I wrote the ingredients down and lost the paper. I did a test then jumped right in. I watched this formula (laughing) for days to see it the action fell apart. Looks OK to me.

Action not finished at this point, but a good start.

The most labor intensive part of this refinish was the research. Not knowing what steel (the annealing process, hard or soft steel) and wood I was dealing with, I used Youtube and Internet sources. They were helpful for the most part, but if you chose a method that contradicted your application, that may have spelled a disaster. I did a lot of checking, double checking and phone calls to an expert. Actually one maybe 2 calls. This master craftsmen (they) are the best and in no way was I in competition with him (or them).

This 20 gauge would be classified as inexpensive when new. Longevity is the main reason. Soft steel the firearm tends to go downhill quickly. An expert of Spanish told me this SxS has 40 more years of hunting left in it. Another stroke of luck.

I will post a better picture of the 20 gauge as soon as I get a chance.

Added today a picture pf the Spanish 20 ------ looking at the white spacer on grip cap, I may trim that down. Looks toooooooooo fat.

pics: