Restoration,, repair finishing question

[Grahame Collins]

Its been a bit wet up here and among other things ,the gun locker went under to the tune of 700 mms.

My muzzleloaders fared the wost with areas burnt where the blackpowder flashes (this is normal ) the wood gets burnt a tiny bit.

Normally it does not present a problem when the muzzleloader stocks aren't drowned in 2 feet of water.
The timber is very spongy. I know the procedure for dry timber but am unaware of how to proceed to dry out the wet timber without further damage .Would a spotlight lamp be advisable to dry the stock out?

Thank you

Grahame

[durwood]

I don't think I would be doing anything just let it dry out naturally.

If you put a lamp on it you will get uneven drying which may cause even more problems. At least if its just left alone it will eventually normalise itself.

Looking at timber I've had left out in the rain and getting wet leaving it to its own devices seems the safest option.

If you think it must be dried out quicker an even heat from a convection heater ( one that blows hot air) maybe passing through a container for the gun like a carboard cylinder may be the go.

[echnidna]

I'd be inclined to remove the timber from the metal and wrap the metal with some clingwrap and reassemble. This should prevent the wood from distorting whilke isolating the dampness from the metal.

Then I'd just let it airdry.

[Grahame Collins]

Thanks boys
I am surprised at how much the stock has dried inside in just a day or two.
Grahame