Thread: 10Pups restores a Reaper.

Okay so I have restored a few Ducks now and I just got this Reaper that needs a lot of work. I posted in new acquisitions but here it is again for this thread.

These are straight from the bay shots and very close to what I have in my hand.



The pitting under those spots is not real bad but enough that I have lost the original grind marks.
Sanding this thing has been scary because it seems so light and delicate for some reason. Maybe in my head but I am going slow with this one. I am almost done with the first grit (400) and I haven't unpinned it yet because I thought I would try to save the original scales. The more I sand the more I convince myself this is all from cell rot. But ummm is this even celluloid ? There are a couple other issues with the scales. The big dark patch around the Lifetime brass. And it is on both sides in the same spot. Blue magic didn't affect it one bit and if I sand then the brass is in the middle of it all. PITA. The last issue I have with the scales is the broken brass bolster on the pivot end. My new friend Wolfpack says he has an extra he will give me so if I replace that I think it is the last straw for these old scales. I don't think I could get the old one off without messing up the scales. Maybe, and I will try when I unpin it. The scales also have a small warping action but the razor closes nice and center.

Now I have seen Glen's restore shots with the brass all laid out but when I looked into the scales on this one I see something odd.
Is this a brass bar connecting all the brass on the front ? Is it there to hold the brass in place while the scales set in a mold? Maybe just a piece of scrap that fell into the mix ? It's at about the same angle and length as the front brass. I hope I don't have to make a slot in new scales to set the brass. It may make it easier to place them but how the heck would it not show. Especially if I make them in a clear.



I guess we will find out down the road.