Guy at school is working on an 1861 Springfield

[4v50 Gary]

Went by school today to talk about doing an independent study on cerakoting. Anyway, the instructor has one student who was working on an 1861 Springfield that had a cracked stock (he was using Acraglass to fix it). Initially I thought I thought it was a replica and when I was looking at the lock, it showed no indication that it was made elsewhere. He then told me that it is an original but that it belongs to someone else. The student hopes to buy it from the owner.

I would have used hide glue myself but hey, I'm not the teacher of the class. We talked a bit about conservation (Frog Lube plus a nickel/five cent piece) to remove the rust and then Renaissance Wax on wood/metal for preservation). I thought I'd share it with you guy since it's rare to see a century plus old firearm at school.

 

[BCRider]

I think I'd have gone with hide or some earlier glue option as well. But then on second thought consider that with a reasonable degree of care that this rifle could still be around in another 150 years and still doing what it was intended to do. So in that context an Accraglass repair is just another small footprint on the trail of history that this firearm is taking on it's way to the future. In a way it's a bit of a record that it lasted long enough to warrant a repair at this point so it could keep on going.

The hardcore historical types will be upchucking in their cornflakes right about now but I think it's another way of looking at the idea of using new methods on old gear. At least in SOME cases.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think those that get in a huff about fixing up there old black powder guns to use them for what they were made for... SHOOTING... just don't make sense.

I think it is just so cool that people keep these old workhorse out on the line, putting lead down range even to this day. I have 0 problems with someone fixing up and old musket to keep it shooting.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Just a comment from my experience, but I have used Acraglas to repair several 100 to 160 year old rifle stocks because I am comfortable with it and I know it works. On two of my repairs I would be comfortable betting that most folks could not find the formerly damaged spot.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Museum conservation is different from repair. Conservation's goal is to arrest any further deteroriation or damage and to maintain it in its presence state. By doing this, future conservationists with improved technology can do better conservation work that today's technology permits. Hence hide glue is preferred as it is non-permanent and can be removed with heat.

Repair work is a different objective and its goal is to return the object to usable condition. It an lose it its originality but it will be functional afterward.