Installing A Silver Wreath Stock Overlay

This special switch-barrel target rifle with its quality thumbhole stock was a prime candidate for a silver wreath to circumscribe its four cartridge headstamps. This job was a most pleasant task and quite easy to install. Here’s how I did it. It all began with a Model 700 Remington action bedded carefully into a thumbhole stock. The rifle was a switch-barrel set up with four premium target barrels in four different chamberings.

So what could have been more presentable than surrounding cut-off cartridge heads of each of the four cartridges with a classic silver wreath? The silver wreath had a 2.35inch outside diameter with a 1.8inch open center to encircle the four cartridge heads. It was 3/16-inches thick with a fl at bottom surface. The inner circle was just the correct size to delineate the four case heads.

A bit of trial-and-error was needed to get the proper arrangement of the This project used a silver wreath with four case heads representing each of the different cartridges chambered in the switch barrels for this rifle. four headstamps. Finally, a triangle of three around a centrally positioned case head was selected and used. Separating the case rims from the cartridge cases was easy. First, be sure it is not a loaded case or that alive primer is in place. Use a cut-off The spent primer remains intact.

tool in a lathe or even a hacksaw to remove the case rim. If afine-toothed hacksaw blade is used, it leaves a rough surface for better bonding. Installing The Silver Wreath Finding the best position for the wreath overlay wasn’t much of a problem. It was a bit too large for a forward stock position, so it found its rightful place at mid-stock on the left side. With the position located on the stock, carefully mark the borders of the wreath with a washable-ink pencil.

Then remove the gunstock finish inside the markings to promote a good bond between metal and wood. I also etched the metal on the underside of the wreath for a better bond. At this stage I bonded the silver wreath to the stock using J-B Cold Weld. Such a bond is permanent, so don’t plan to remove it. With the wreath in place you can arrange the case heads. This arrangement, if used, will depend on the number and size of the case heads too.

Having decided this, carefully place them and put four dots around each of them for later replacement. Then remove a little stock finish for bonding beneath each one and you are all set. In setting the headstamps, place with a coating of bonding agent at center and carefully lower each headstamp into position. It is well to place them in the order you want and in an easily readable position.

I used a tweezers to position each one as they are quite small and thin to A tweezers works well for this job. grasp with bare fingers. Some may want to place other items within the silver wreath. There are plenty of possibilities here. Chances are good the completed job will really get some attention. Conclusion Where pride is taken in a much-treasured gun, some form of inlays or overlays can enhance the beauty as well as the value of the piece.

Such application should be well thought out and performed with much care. A silver wreath is especially applicable to the rifle shooter. AG