Wire Inlays in the stock:

Brian had purchased some silver wire for inlays, so what better opportunity than to show him how to install some on his rifle.  First a simple pattern of "S" and "C" scrolls were drawn on the stock.  Then using an knife, we cut along the lines.

Here are the tools I use for putting in the inlays.  They are made from pieces of scrap hacksaw blades. I made a 1/16", 1/8" straight blades, 1/16" & 1/8" curved blades. The scrolling pliers is useful for bend the wire for tight scrolls.  The depth of the blades equals the width of the wire.

Here Brian is using the tools.  Before the wire is inserted into the cut area, it is dragged across the edge of a triangular file. This puts ridges along the sides of the wire, we it will grip the wood and not come out.

A small hammer is used to drive the tool into the stock. The wire is started into the groove and is bent and pushed into the groove by hand.  The wire should slide into the groove easily. If it flattens, you can use a punch to straighten the wire and realign it with the groove. When the full length of the wire is inserted, then we use the small hammer with a dowel to drive the wire fully into the stock. 

With one piece of the wire worked into the groove, we are ready to insert the second wire.  In order to help blend the two pieces together, the side of the second piece is filed thinner and will seat up against the side of the first wire.

Now we have both pieces installed. If you look to the left in the photo, you can see we shaped the edge of the cheekpiece, too.

Next, we installed a thumbpiece on the wrist and I engraved it for Brian.

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