Advise for custom Marlin 1895 furniture

[ob1coby]

I want to put some beautiful custom wood on my Marlin. I've found a black walnut blank that I like, but I'm not sure if it is a good idea for me to take on a project like that. I'm good with my hands, but I've never fit a wood to a gun. Is it very difficult, or does anyone know of someone that sells beautiful wood to fit? or?? Part of the problem is that money has recently become and issue and I'm not sure I can afford a pro carpenter. Any advise? Thanks

[marlinman93]

Fitting a semi inletted stock set takes lots of time and patience. It's not hard if you have the other two, but you'll need some advice and a few tools. There's a good tutorial at Treebone Carving on fitting stocks that will either help you, or make you decide not to.
I've fitted and done a number of stocks over the yers, and I still remember the first one, and how scarey it was. Still it came out nicely and I've still got the gun.
http://www.treebonecarving.com/

You might also contact Marlin, as they used to have some deluxe wood stocks around from special limited runs that were really high grade, and pretty cheap. Plus ready to bolt on your gun!

[BwanaDave]

Several years ago I purchased a stock from Treebone for my Marlin 1895. I upgraded the wood and it was about $350.00 at the time. The inletting was alot of work, I didn't use a dremel. I would go with the shotgun butt that way you won't have to mess with fitting the buttplate. Just send it out and have a pad installed. For finish I put on several coats of tounge oil, I don't like real glossy finishes. A guy at a wood working store gave me a tip on oil finishes, he said to use finner and finner wet and dry sand paper to apply the oil. Work it along the grain for several minutes then let it sit for 15 minute and wipe off the excess. The fine wood particles act as a filler in the pores of the wood. When I say fine I am talking about 400-500 grit. Every now and then I go over it again and I think it looks great. When I had the pad installed I used one of those decellerator sporting clays pads. They have a different material on the upper end so the pad won't snag your clothing. I hadn't seen a lever gun with one of these so I was taking a chance doing it but it turned out real nice. I would post a picture if I could figure out how.

Dave

[ob1coby]

Dave if you figure out how I would love to see some pics, or if you have them on your computer you can email me at sell4u22@gmail.com

[BwanaDave]

E-mail sent w/ pictures.

Dave