FWB 300S restoration project - from trashcan material, to brand spanking new!

[Jonnes]

It's done, took me a couple of weeks to bring this almost 40 year vintage FWB 300S back from the dead, but it's become the best restoration project I've ever done. This rifle was bought by my gun club back in 1977, and has been used ever since to train many members over the years. It has been written off, it didn't shoot any longer, and should have ended up in the trash. But I couldn't allow that to happen. Too much history, memories and even though she wasn't much to look at, she still had some beauty left in her. And now, she's back from the dead, shooting and looking like she just rolled off the production line, back in March 1977.

Redoing the stippling on the grip was the hardest part, next to the blueing, but it came out extremely well. 



I'm extremely pleased with the end result. And it's a keeper, what an amazing rifle it is!  

 

[ajshoots]

Awesome work!! Looks brand new.

 

[Jonnes]

Thanks, I've never been more proud of a restoration job than this one. It looks even better in real life. And it shoots like a dream!

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

Jonnes that is absolutely beautiful !!! Looks better than when it left the factory . The wood finish came out a gorgeous color , and the bluing looks as good as new .!! Truly a showpiece .

 

[Jonnes]

Thanks Joe, coming from you as the FWB restoration master, that's a great compliment.

 

[Wadcutter]

Extremely sharp rifle. The 300's have such a classy look. Nice job on the resurrection.

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

Jonnes did you use any stain or dye on the wood ? It has a really good color to it . So many of the ones I've seen redone are so overly stained the wood grain is washed out .

 

[Jonnes]

I used 5 layers of non-colored tung oil, and 3 layers of Scherell stock oil in "Classic Dark". First tung, then Scherell, tung, Scherell, tung, Scherell, tung and tung. In that order. Apply thin layers each time, let it dry for about an hour, get some 0 steel wool to rub the excess oil out (ever so slightly), and repeat the proces after each layer. But I must admit, it all depends on the wood. Experiment on a piece of walnut, if you've got some laying around. That Scherell oil somehow seems to work better on the woodgrain, than the rest. The Scherell oil comes in multiple colors, be sure not to use the "extra dark" but the "classic dark".

The matt finish is gorgeous! And the smell, man... my man cave smelled great during those days. And you can still smell it when you grab the rifle. I love the smell of tung oil!

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

I hear ya on the smell ...I'll have a couple guns in the guest bedroom curing and it smells like an old school gunshop. Well that and I spilled about half a bottle of Hoppes in the carpet a year or two ago

 

[Jonnes]

LOL, that's why I don't have carpet in my man cave. Just wonderfully smelling guns. ;-) 

 

[Guest]

Does look like it came out real well. Just strip[ping the bluing/rust off the Crosman 160 now after finishing the stock. It's getting there...

 

[Jonnes]

It did indeed. Looking forward to the results
of your 160. Be sure to make before-shots!

 

[Hammer47]

"JoeWayneRhea"I hear ya on the smell ...I'll have a couple guns in the guest bedroom curing and it smells like an old school gunshop. Well that and I spilled about half a bottle of Hoppes in the carpet a year or two ago

They ought to make aftershave with that aroma.

 

[Jonnes]

Then use it as aftershave, why don't you! And while you're at it, use some tung oil as gel. I'm sure you'll sniff yourself whole day.



I decided to put it up for show in my man cave. Couldn't stand it that is was sitting in a rifle bag, out of sight. It's up there on one of my 'Planks of Memories', right where it belongs.