Love my rifle, hate the stock finish. I don’t know why Uberti paints their stocks red and then dips them in plastic coating. I finally couldn’t stand it any longer and I’ve spent my Saturday evening removing the finish with Klean Strip Stripper and after about 6 or 7 rounds of stripper and steel wool I’ve got it about stripped down. It even appears that the military cartouche survived my efforts. I don’t think I’ll add any stain to it but was wondering if I should simply rub it down with gun oil tomorrow. I thought about adding a few dings a dents to it but I want it to appear as it would’ve looked during or shortly after the Civil War. I don’t exactly want it to look 150 years old. Maybe a few gouges that are darkened. What say you guys? Anyone done this to their Uberti. Also, did military units demand polished brass (I’m an old navy guy) or just let it mellow with a natural patina? Pics tomorrow, too much Kessler’s tonight.
Refinishing Uberti 1860 Henry Stock
- Thread starter Jimster
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Captain*kirk
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I doubt if any units wasted time polishing brass on a Henry. Besides, very few units, if any, were issued repeating rifles in the ACW. It was against military policy to have weapons in which rapid fire (read; wasting ammo) would be tolerated.
As to stain, it's a personal choice. For a finish I'd recommend boiled linseed oil (if you can afford the time to allow the coats to dry between) and if not, Tru Oil. But that's just me!
As to stain, it's a personal choice. For a finish I'd recommend boiled linseed oil (if you can afford the time to allow the coats to dry between) and if not, Tru Oil. But that's just me!
Dave Markowitz
Member
FWIW, I've had good results refinishing gun stocks using Watco Danish Oil with the dark walnut tint. For example, about 9 years ago I refinished an H&R Model 1900 shotgun, made sometime between 1900 and 1915. When I got it the butt stock had about a century's worth of dirt, crud, and Lord knows what else on it.
Here's the partially cleaned butt. The entire piece of wood looked like the grip.
After I cleaned it up and got all the crud off I gave it a couple coats of Danish Oil and this is how it turned out:
Danish Oil is carried at Lowe's and Home Depot, among other hardware stores.
Here's the partially cleaned butt. The entire piece of wood looked like the grip.
After I cleaned it up and got all the crud off I gave it a couple coats of Danish Oil and this is how it turned out:
Danish Oil is carried at Lowe's and Home Depot, among other hardware stores.
Most Henry’s were bought privately with reenlistment bonuses. District of Columbia cavalry had them issued and a sprinkling of others but mostly privately purchased. Just curious if spit and polish was the order of the day during the war. Most of the soldier’s time was non combat dreariness, dysentery and body lice. The Mississippi River Squadron (My favorite topic) also had several Henry’s. Though rare, they were game changers in a few instances such as Altoona Pass. Illinois had a “sharp shooters” regiment equipped with Henry’s. I was simply wondering what condition most would’ve been kept in. Perhaps nobody really knows. Just guesses. Perhaps I should do what suits me and keep it at that.
hawg
Member
Gun oil will soak into the wood and over years of use will make it soft. The U.S. army purchased 1,371 Henry's compared to 45,733 Spencer carbines and 11,471 rifles. Some units did adopt the Henry and purchased them privately. I suppose it would have been up to the company commanders how they were kept up. Most union officers at least at the beginning of the war had soldiers polishing rifles and everything else bright.
Mark_Mark
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show some photos of the striped wood
Driftwood Johnson
Member
In his book The Winchester Handbook, George Madis states that "a dull oil finish" was standard for the Model 1866 Winchester.
He does not mention what the finish was on the Henry, but I would suspect it was the same.
I would suspect several coats of Linseed Oil rubbed into the wood.
I used to be a professional wood worker and I often used Watco Tung Oil as a finish. It does dry out over time and needs to be renewed occasionally.
No comment on polishing the brass.
By the way, after ten years of slamming my Henry down on tables and other props in CAS, you should see how bunged up the stock is these days. No plans on refinishing it though.
When it was brand new I would joke around by placing a cloth on the ground and leaning the rifle up against a prop, to protect the beautiful finish. Some guys did not understand I was joking.
He does not mention what the finish was on the Henry, but I would suspect it was the same.
I would suspect several coats of Linseed Oil rubbed into the wood.
I used to be a professional wood worker and I often used Watco Tung Oil as a finish. It does dry out over time and needs to be renewed occasionally.
No comment on polishing the brass.
By the way, after ten years of slamming my Henry down on tables and other props in CAS, you should see how bunged up the stock is these days. No plans on refinishing it though.
When it was brand new I would joke around by placing a cloth on the ground and leaning the rifle up against a prop, to protect the beautiful finish. Some guys did not understand I was joking.
Sure thing! Here you go I know there’s a few trace areas to finalize but this is pretty much stripped. I’m thinking maybe Walnut stain and then sealer. I do not want a glossy finish. Adding a ding or two crossed my mind but maybe I’ll just quit babying it so much and let it develop it’s own character. I’ve heard of guys wrapping chain around and hammering it or dragging them behind their pickups down a gravel road. I’m not looking for that 160 year old abused antique look!
Jim Watson
Member
There was a period when Winchesters got a red finish. Would that be appropriate for a Henry?
I once bought an engraved Hunter Arms Ithaca at a gun show for $75. The tubes were bent and beat up. A dozen dents. The wood had been painted over with some kind of something.
Upper gun.
I stripped the old gunk and finished with Tru-Oil. I straightened the barriers and hammered out dents. Looked pretty respectful after done.
Upper gun.
I stripped the old gunk and finished with Tru-Oil. I straightened the barriers and hammered out dents. Looked pretty respectful after done.
J-Bar
Member
Longshot Logan was a cowboy action shooter who refinished stocks and shared his method online. He died several years ago. I found his recipe for Uberti stocks:
https://gungiveaways.com/1873-uberti-shoulder-stock-refinishing/
Good luck!
https://gungiveaways.com/1873-uberti-shoulder-stock-refinishing/
Good luck!
Ugly Sauce
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Before going to the Danish, I like to rub in a bit of walnut oil, or any of the different nut oils a few times before putting on the Danish. It does have to be renewed from time to time, which I enjoy doing. It will not give a shiny finish.
I rarely use "Tru-Oil", which is not true, but when I do I dilute it with other oils. Otherwise it is too shiny for me. But it does seal well.
No, don't ding your wood. Just take the rifle on a lot of long hikes in the woods or mountains.
I rarely use "Tru-Oil", which is not true, but when I do I dilute it with other oils. Otherwise it is too shiny for me. But it does seal well.
No, don't ding your wood. Just take the rifle on a lot of long hikes in the woods or mountains.
Mark_Mark
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WOE! that’s bare wood! Blank Canvas!
Mark_Mark
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late to the game, but I love a dull finish that’s bearly there. I also like your idea of some dents and scratches to the stock! si would totally do it. Get a chain and a couple of wacks!
look up chalk paint restoration, my sister does furniture restoration and showed me a few techniques
hawg
Member
Nope, nope, nope. You don't see a lot of originals beat up like that.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
I knew Longshot Logan. He was a real character, used to bring his banjo to matches. He passes away quite suddenly, probably ten years ago or so.
True. I’m going for a rifle that’s seen a year or three of Civil War action but well maintained. I also don’t want to be afraid to lay it down on anything like Driftwood mentioned. I’ve been “gun fondling” it in the evenings and completely wiping it down with a Ballistol cloth before putting it back in my safe to keep it pristine. That’s not so fun.
Mark_Mark, I did enjoy the video and can see some future projects using that method. Thank you very much for the link.
Mark_Mark, I did enjoy the video and can see some future projects using that method. Thank you very much for the link.
Mark_Mark
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I like your style man! you live once! have FUN!
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