I just finished dressing up a very special rifle for a very special member. This rifle belongs to our own Felix.
It is a Marlin 1894 in 41 Remington Magnum. A special edition.
When I got it, it didn't look bad per se, but it didn't look good either. The bolt did not fit in the receiver and stood proud all around it. There were deep scratches in the receiver also, hidden by course bead blasting. There was a spot on the side of the barrel that had lost it's bluing and had been patched with cold blue. The lever was stiff, and the trigger was about 4lb.
There were dings in the stock and the finish on the wood was poor, hindering the gorgeous wood from presenting itself.
I stripped the entire rifle and polished every single surface with files, wood block, and sand paper. The action was slicked up, and a competition flat wound spring was installed dropping the trigger pull to a crisp 3.5lb and I dropped the pressure on the lever so that it takes only 5lb of pressure to open it with the hammer down.
The rifle was reblued and no expense was spared in preparation for the salts. It was with trepidation and crossed fingers that I finally lowered it into the salts I can assure you.
The dents were steamed out of the wood and Truoil was rubbed in by hand. Over 20 coats were applied over a week and a half. I kept at it until I was satisfied.
The gun looks even more amazing in person than it does in the photographs.
I am very proud of this rifle, and Felix encouraged me to post pictures of it for you all to see.
On that note, please say a prayer for our friend and mentor. He is in the hospital now with pneumonia and it is serious.
Thank you.
Felix, you have done so much for all of us, I gave my very best effort to show my appreciation with every stroke of the stone and file when doing this job for you. I wish I could reach into the future and give you the best I will be capable of then, but this is the best I can do now, and it is an honor to serve you and your family.
God bless you for all you have done for us!
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