Restoration project

[ed]

So I bought this Free Pistol that happenned to have the grip cap busted.

horn cap.jpg

Thing is I have another pistol by the same maker with a similar (and intact) cap.

IMG_9726.JPG

I have fooled around with silicone in the past to cast some medieval seal matrices so I figured why not try making a mold.
I bought the glop from amazon, mixed it up and brushed some on my model to make sure I captured the detail then fabricated a jig and set the fucker in

IMG_9719a.jpg

I let it cure overnight. The original released very easily and was not at all damaged (that was an important consideration). So now I have a mold.
https://i.imgur.com/UBWHhH0.jpg

An interesting benefit is that this mold can be used many times thus opening up an interesting business oppertunity. I will assess what the size of the "reproduction butt cap for 100 year old german pistols made by Bouchel" is. Somethnig tells me that I should not quit my day job though it might be a significant step up for Shemp and/or Bruce. We shall see.

Next step is to mix and tint the epoxy resin. Something I have not fooled around with. It is unlikely that I will blow myself up with this project so I will proceed unafraid.

[ed]

Right. A booming market.

This is a master class in how to loose your shirt. TA would probably benefit.

"Great ideas" ans hobbies have probably resulted in more lost capitol than anything else.

A guiding principle for entrepreneurs is this: Work is so horrible that they have to pay you to do it. If it is not horrible, run.

[ed]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com ... L1500_.jpg
Bought this and a colorant. Poured it into the mold yesterday. Supposedly it cures in 24-48 hours.

We shall see.

[Hotarubi]

Wasn't there a thread about this elsewhere?

[ed]

Wasn't there a thread about this elsewhere?

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=50874

[solely]

The JB Weld stuff come in tin tubes, one with black print the other with red print,
when it's mixed it appears a darker gray putty.

[ed]

Day-um

https://i.imgur.com/WMvivi6.jpg

There seem to be some tiny air bubbles here and there but that is ok. I am not trying to fool the next owner and that is a givaway that the piece is a repro. Point is that it looks complete.

Note to self: Investigate careers in art forgery.

[robinson]

It’s a tough market to crack

[DJ]

I admire your efforts, Ed. :)

[ed]

Gotta machine the thing and drill it out.

Why, yes, I do have time on my hands, why do you ask?

[Hotarubi]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50838

Thought so.

Carry on.

[ed]

Yeah, figured it out. Not rocket science.

[ed]

And there you go. Had to trim it on a belt sander. The dots are filled in tiny bubbles I think, if I clean it they will not be noticeable.
point was to bring this 100 year old thing bck to what it looked like in the day and I think this does it.
https://i.imgur.com/IfcaKEp.jpg

[robinson]

Nice work

[robinson]

He said it wasn’t

[Pyrrho]

[ed]

Thanks, I like those sorts of projects. That evapo rust stuff was new to me. Naval Jully leaves a crappy surface ... googlr google ... hmmm a chelating agent. I used one in the past but it was expensive as hell. It must have caught on. Thanks for pointing that to me. If you have somethnig that is really rusted, that stuff selectively removes the rust and can leave just the metal structure that is intact..

[ed]

Does it affect the resale value, or is that not even an issue?

Dunno. Ordinarily a well restored rare thing would benefit from the restoration though still be worth less than something all original. There is an expression "gilding the lily" . Take this for example:
https://www.poulinauctions.com/wp-conte ... 5x17-1.jpg
It is a Borchart pistol, the first successful semiautomatic pistol. In excellent condit might be 6k maybe. I've seen them in their original boxed set with the accessories for 14k.

Personally I would not own the thing I just posted. It looks like a pimps gun and is a desecration of something that is very rare. It should not have been done. Different strokes I suppose.

In the present case, given that as far as I can see there is a very limited collectors market, I suspect that this fix would bring the thing closer to lets say $1200. The "buy it now price" at auction was close to 2k, at auction I got it for 700. 2k is high. If I sold it I'd ask 1.5k and take 1.2k.

[Witness]

If you have somethnig that is really rusted, that stuff selectively removes the rust and can leave just the metal structure that is intact..

Archaeologists use electrolysis.

As for the "pimp pistol" ( :mrgreen: ), that's very similar to a common problem with ancient musical instruments: they get "adapted" to new tastes.

[ed]

But I doubt that they actually use originals. That gun I posted is an original Borchardt tarted up. Reblued and engraved and the whole bit. Thing is that it had to have been in decent shape before they did it since I see no sign of pitting or excess wear.

Here is the listing for the pimp gun
https://www.poulinauctions.com/high-art ... griffiths/

[Witness]

https://i.imgur.com/HfeIfOV.jpg

Excellent book, even if a bit dated now. Recommend.

[ed]

hmmmm .. appropriate.

You know, they used to tart up authentic gothic armor with gilding back during the gothic revival? It was better than original. Like that pistol.