Another prospector, deer old pal?

[Jimbo]

Well I'm scratching fleas again. I picked up this infamous gem from our buddy Craig. I've got a few questions, seeing how only two years ago the only chestnuts I knew were the ones with the spiny husks. I was hoping some of you could offer an an opinion as to what model it is, and how to proceed in restoring it regarding the following info:

The good: Decent wales and decks, although the outwales were factory barf scarfed and screwed and are now are disjointed. Nice quarter sawn planking where its not split....maybe flat sawn would have held up better on the bottom? Beautiful original patina inside.

The bad: Every rib between the stems is either split or cracked completely thru. I think the neighborhood kids used it as a trampoline. The planking along the bottom is split. The canvas has been patched with fiberglass cloth.

The measurements: 16 x 36 x 14ish? 1.5 inch ribs spaced 1.5 inches apart.

The seller wanted $150 for it, but I traded him straight up for an unremarkable post 1964 model 94 Winchester 30-30 that I hadn't carried since 1975...probably worth about $200 minus the hassle of and expense of selling it. He was thrilled. I'm not sure if I'm thrilled yet. Properly restored, I hope to do some solo Quetico tripping with it.

 

[Fitz]

Tough call.

Tough call, but I think I would have kept the deer gun.

I'm sure you can fix it.

Fitz.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

right

What Fitz said. But as to the ribs. If the hull shape is still ok, I'd replace every third rib, one at a time so as not to end up with a canoe named 'lumpy'. Looks nice to me.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Nice boat, and for a post 64 you did great. Those things are pretty crappy, I traded off an unfired 1970 and was glad to get rid of it - especially if you've had one jam at the worst possible moment.

 

[MGC]

Hm, I'll give up my 56 model 94 for a nice Rushton
I'll even leave the Leopold on it.

Actually I did once offer it in trade for a really nice old guideboat. I still have the gun.
I wonder where that boat went?
It was a real beauty... a real old pre-Rushton beauty.

 

[davelanthier]

Depending on the year it was produced it is either a Deer or Pal model. Here's a few pictures of one I just completed that needed 8 ribs. As a bonus it turned out to have birds eye Maple thwarts and decks. It has become my favorite canoe.

 

[Jimbo]

I should have known that a bunch of folks who love vintage canoes would also love vintage firearms....let me tell you about my 1908 Ansley H Fox "A" grade double barrel duck.....nah, I'd better not, I'll end up trading it for an Adirondack boat. By the way, I also have a 1951 model 94 that works smooth as silk....that's a keeper.

So it seems I have a Chestnut deer/pal. The depth seemed off, but the broken ribs probably have something to do with that. Thanks for the ID, as well as the advice to replace ribs every third one or so. I'm not clear in my mind how to work in replacing the planks through that process, but I'm sure it will be clearer once I begin. I have access to a ton of Altlantic white cedar...any input on using that?...according to the wood properties table (http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/strength_table.htm), it rates about the same. Also, I was wondering if epoxy was a good option for the "better" ribs...separate the split with bottom pressure, squirt in epoxy with syringe, then let it settle back to proper shape and clamp? Thanks again for your help.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Smooth action? model 1892 in 44, circa 1905. A guideboat would be a great trade though...

 

[Dan Miller]

So it seems I have a Chestnut deer/pal. The depth seemed off, but the broken ribs probably have something to do with that. Thanks for the ID, as well as the advice to replace ribs every third one or so. I'm not clear in my mind how to work in replacing the planks through that process, but I'm sure it will be clearer once I begin. I have access to a ton of Altlantic white cedar...any input on using that?...according to the wood properties table (http://www.woodbin.com/ref/wood/strength_table.htm), it rates about the same. Also, I was wondering if epoxy was a good option for the "better" ribs...separate the split with bottom pressure, squirt in epoxy with syringe, then let it settle back to proper shape and clamp? Thanks again for your help.

Atlantic cedar will be an adequate for northern white if you can't get it - some of our mid-Atlantic builders have used it and it works just fine.

Given the amount of damage, I'd just replace the broken ribs outright. Your big challenge is getting the hull fair. Think Spanish windlass...

 

[Dan Miller]

Smooth action? model 1892 in 44, circa 1905. A guideboat would be a great trade though...

Thanks for the offer, Andre, but I think I'll keep the guideboat...

 

[MGC]

Thanks for the offer, Andre, but I think I'll keep the guideboat...

You have to love a thread like this...a post about a violated Chestnut has turned into a negotiation for Dan's guideboat.
I'll see the Winchester and raise it by a Lefever....or perhaps a Parker?

 

[Jimbo]

Ironically, what happened to Winchester's quality standards is just like what happened to Chestnut's. It's only fitting that I traded the post 64 rifle for the post 64 canoe. I only wish I could store the canoe under my bed. Now about that poker game, I'll see your Parker and raise you a JC Higgins 12 gauge pump with a poly choke....a very valuable gun....Sears doesn't sell guns anymore!