The making of a Holland and Holland shotgun - absolute perfection

[Evanism]

Take 20 minutes to watch this video on the making of a hand made shotgun.

It is absolutely exquisite. You will be certain to come away inspired to make as perfectly as possible.

Holland and Holland Factory Craftsmanship - YouTube (http://youtu.be/qUXoNUzAyvk)

[Evanism]

At the 15:10 and 17:20 mark, you can see him rubbing in a substance by hand. Any idea what that might be?

[Gabriel]

I'm not much of a gun man, but amazing craftsmanship and seeing so much blood sweat and tears working in perfect harmony is amazing

[spokeshave]

Thanks for posting this Evanism.

I really enjoy watching this sort of stuff having an interest in woodwork, metalwork and a little bit of gunsmithing too. Its all there, exceptional workmanship shown.

Just wish they would've turned down the music a bit, got a bit annoying when you couldn't hear what they were saying.

Steven.

[rustynail]

At the 15:10 and 17:20 mark, you can see him rubbing in a substance by hand. Any idea what that might be?
The stock is sealed with a hand rubbed oil finish. Depending on the nature of the timber it will be initially filled and sanded using oil and sanding dust to fill the pores in the timber. This may require several applications to get a surface fit for final oil finishing. Once the pores have been filled, the "final" coats are hand rubbed into the timber. The hand rubbing creates friction which creates heat
helping the oil to penetrate and also burnish the surface. I say "final" because these coats can be from 12 to 30 odd applications. I have just made and finished a fiddle back grained walnut stock which required 36 coats to get its full potential. It's slow work, but someone's got to do it.

[Evanism]

Its also seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSKBPBTnmIM at the 3:20 mark.

Im fascinated with finishes that other industries within the woodwork skill group use. I've learned an AWESOME amount over the last 8 weeks talking to, and helping, boxmakers, luthiers and knife makers. Each of these finish their products to perfection, plus each has a very specific process unique to each. Now I can included gun stock makers .... but Id wager they are in very short supply in Australia!

In the video, they refer to Akinite in Boiled Linseed Oil.... will need to look that up.

If these skills can be used on my boxes, the desirability (perhaps prices) can be projected into the stratosphere!

Looks like I'll need to practice finishing until my fingers wear to nubs :)

[spokeshave]

I have just made and finished a fiddle back grained walnut stock which required 36 coats to get its full potential. It's slow work, but someone's got to do it.

Pictures please.....please!!!!

I haven't done a gun stock for over 20 years but for some reason just love looking at beautiful walnut gunstocks...don't know why.

A few months back i grabbed a few down grade shotgun walnut blanks for boxes (and a few useful off-cuts) from a local bloke who specializes in them. They had borer holes so he was selling them cheap.

He showed me some of his exhibition grade rifle blanks and I was drooling, just the best looking walnut (with a price to match).

Steven.

[rustynail]

Actually spelling is Aconite. It is a flower and is used as a yellower when mixed with the oil. Extenuates the colours in the timber, particularly light coloured walnut.
A finish you may wish to try on your boxes is a product called Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. This is a highly respected finish used by many gunsmiths. Easy to apply, very water proof, long lasting, takes recoating and as hard as a bulls forehead once fully dry. A little goes a long way, 240ml or 8oz will give around 70 coats to an average sized rifle stock and costs about $20 per bottle.
The trick is to put just a pin hole in the seal under the cap to squeeze out a drop or two onto your finger, then between coats, replace the cap and store the bottle upside down to form an air seal. This procedure prevents a skin forming inside the bottle and keeps the product usable for ages.
The recipe is a closely guarded secret but it would appear to be a mixture of oil, driers, thinners, and some form of lacquer. Whatever it is, it's good stuff and gives a better finish than Linseed alone.

[Bob38S]

+++ for Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil.

This includes more than you need but the woodworking bit will certainly help.

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Manage/literature/refinishing-guide-2013.aspx

[Evanism]

That Tru-Oil is absolutely amazing. There are many videos and explanations, but all the results look incredible. I've been farting around with my boxes trying to get the kind of finishes these gunstock people get almost trivially.

I've asked around to see if it can be bought in larger bottles.

I'm very much looking forward to the next book to be released by Ubeaut.... apparently out early 2016.

Refinishing is such an art and so many non-obvious makers use such disparate processes, but the finishes....wow. Much to learn.

[issatree]

Hi to you all,
I think they are some of the best Y/T's I have seen so far.
If you let the H&H go through, then watch the next one Purdeys the the one after, & I think there are more.
One thing I noticed, in the H&H was the use of The Leg Vices.
Old Hat, but very effective
Thanks.

[Bob38S]

Bigger bottles are available in the US, up to 32oz but not sure if that size is imported into Oz. They also make an aerosol but I have not seen or used it.

The best I can suggest is go to / phone a gunshop, there are some good ones in Sydney, and ask as to availability and sizes.

https://www.birchwoodcasey.com/Refinishing/Wood-Finishing.aspx

[Dazm]

I've re-finished a few stocks with Tru-Oil, does a beautiful job

[rustynail]

Pictures please.....please!!!!

I haven't done a gun stock for over 20 years but for some reason just love looking at beautiful walnut gunstocks...don't know why.

A few months back i grabbed a few down grade shotgun walnut blanks for boxes (and a few useful off-cuts) from a local bloke who specializes in them. They had borer holes so he was selling them cheap.

He showed me some of his exhibition grade rifle blanks and I was drooling, just the best looking walnut (with a price to match).

Steven.
Unfortunately the rifle has been delivered to its new owner. I will try to satisfy your strange little fetish next time I see him.

[Evanism]

Just bought a bottle 8oz/240ml from Western Firearms beverly Hills for $24 + $8 post.

Very keen to try this out on some new boxes. I help a knife maker (@mattm) make handles and display boxes for knives, so it seems terribly appropriate to use it on those too. Ill post some photos.

Tell you what, I've watched a dozen videos on how some old-timey yanks do it and their results are simply incredible. That Holland and Holland video has absolutely inspired me to push harder with my fine boxes....

[rustynail]

You are probably better off with the smaller size bottle as a little bit goes a hell of a long way.
To give you some idea - the cap on that bottle you have purchased only needs to be one third filled to put a full coat on one average sized stock. Depending on the open grain of the timber, the first coat may take a bit more. This product must be used sparingly, otherwise runs form which, when sanded out, make the finish patchy which can remain evident under following coats.
Forget the spray cans, they are unnecessarily expensive, wasteful and don't give any better finish than a hand rubbing with a few drops of oil. Most gunsmiths prefer to cut back the final coat with rottenstone to give a luster rather than a shine which is what you get with numerous coats of oil.
Personally, I often leave the high shine on richly figured timber as cutting back does have a slight clouding or obscuring effect. Each stock is different and the final finish can be varied to suit. This is one of the differences between a custom and off the shelf firearm.
Oh, one other very important thing; When using oils always be careful disposing of used oily rags-
They have the uncanny ability to self combust. Chuck 'em in water.

[Evanism]

A new video for the unbelievably beautiful artistry that go into these: Gunmaking Craftsmanship - Holland & Holland - YouTube (http://youtu.be/RLxDRb7yWnw)

From 2:52 is the woodworky bits. There is also more in part 4 further along.

Wow. Very wow.

BTW, thanks to all for the tips and hints in all the posts above. Gracias.