Re-building a Stevens Model 94C in .410

[theriflespeaks1863]

Hi all,

I'm re-building the above mentioned shotgun that came into the family from my grandfather, rest his soul. Functionally, it's a nice scattergun, but it is definitely lacking in cosmetics. Initially, it started out with a broken trigger guard and an improperly dissasembled action (the action was my fault, but both of these issues are being corrected right now). Now, it has moved on to not only restoring the gun to functioning condition, but to improving the cosmetics of the gun as well. Namely, the dime-store, 4-year-old-could-have-carved-it-better forend is to be reshaped, and the stock repaired and refinished.

One of my improvements was going to involve using some recently acquired Red Oak to make a forend tip, after I re-shape said forend . I would like some advice on re-shaping the forend, as well as installing the tip. Stylistic input welcomed heartily.

This is a reliable, decent-patterning shotgun that is perfect for small game. I would like to make it more attractive. Any ideas you all would have would be welcomed!

Thanks,

-Chris

 

[rcmodel]

I feel it would be best to make the forend look as close as possible to the orginial.
The wood type & color also needs to match the butt stock as closely as possible.

http://www.gunstocksinc.com/web_pages/Plate-pics/Stevens-model-940.html

rc

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Clarifying my purpose here...

rcmodel- For sure, I am not drastically changing this gun all that much- It will be faithful to the original, simple, Stevens KISS principle design. The stock and so on don't need so much replacing as they do a repair/touch-up refinish.
For the record, in case some of you are interested, this is not being done to make this gun easier to sell or for any other such purpose of capitalist venture. For any of you who are concerned about the collector value of this gun, I have it on good authority (from both a gunsmith and my own research) that this gun is not worth much more than $175 in excellent condition- it was never meant to be anything beyond a hardware store gun, ie, not a collector piece.
This gun was passed down in my father's side of the family, and my father has left it to me to improve and return to functioning condition so it can prove its worth in the field. I would never consider selling this gun or anything such as that. The only thing I want to do is make this gun worthy of being in my cabinet. No tactical rails, flashlights, vertical grips, or any doodads involved. Just some tasteful refinements that will compliment the original design of the gun- like a well done sporter, but nothing so drastic as a complete stock/style change.

Cheers,

-Chris