Firearm Restoration and Conservation

Do you have a family heirloom or a cherished firearm that has seen better days? I take great pride in restoring older firearms into functioning treasures that can be enjoyed for decades to come.

Restoration – The process begins with total disassembly and inspection of every component. If parts are missing, broken or no longer serviceable (which is the case for many springs), the parts are ordered or fabricated. The wooden stocks are striped of old finish, dents are steamed, oil saturation is removed, and cracks are repaired. Different grits of finer sandpaper are used until the wood finish is smooth. The finish type (Danish oil, semi-gloss or gloss) is selected by the client and the painstaking process of applying the finish and fine sand between each coat is completed. The metal parts are cleaned, striped of finish and refinished in a variety of protective finishes. The firearm is reassembled and tested.

Conservation – The process of conservation cleans and preserves a vintage firearm (most often military rifles and pistols) without degrading their value. The process starts with total disassembly and inspection of every component. If parts are missing, broken or no longer serviceable (which is the case for many springs), the parts are ordered or fabricated. The wood is cleaned (using various processes) to remove dirt and grime without removing the patina. Then the finish (using the original type of product used when the weapon was produced) is applied to protect the wood. The metal parts a cleaned, once again without removing the patina, of rust, grease, oil and contaminates. The parts are lubricated, and the firearm is reassembled and tested.