Stella VZ36

The air rifle on any outdoor area does not have the manufacturer's signature or other markings, common even in small series production, only some internal components are embossed with a small number 3. Some of the components, such as belt loops, fly guard or visor frame with models of established Czechoslovak military air rifles. The stock and sleeves, including the shoe, also have domestic provenance.

 

During the restoration, the initial views of provenance were completely confirmed and the origin of the system was determined, which shows several patents filed first with the Patent Office of the Czechoslovak Republic and then with the Patent Office in Prague. The air rifle is a product of the company: LADISLAV KOTEK, KRNSKO s.r.o. A toy and metal goods factory, a steam saw and is listed as STELLA model 36. This type is not listed on the area of ​​the main components, unlike sporadically preserved pieces of model 36 in other collections, where we can also find the serial numbers of the rifle. The reason will perhaps explain to us the detailed elaboration of the subject, which undoubtedly enriched and supplemented the VHÚ collection with another interesting system of air rifles of domestic production.

 

Before the restoration, a complete photo documentation of the condition in which it was handed over is first taken. For some time, the rifle was apparently completely affected by very polluted water with a lot of alluvium. The metal parts were covered with a strong corrosion crust with a mixture of fine soil impurities. The layer deformed the whole set and completely covered the details, including joints and screws. The corrosion partially damaged the originally chemically blackened surface of the components, which fully manifested itself later.

 

Much better, the inner hidden part was protected in the butt. Similarly, the internal moving parts of the mechanism are almost intact by corrosion, even though they have no surface finish. The caliber of the barrel cannot be measured completely safely, as it is heavily attacked by pitting corrosion. On the other hand, it is surprising how the inserted tank was preserved, which was affected by the destructive influence of the environment. Nevertheless, it is fully functional after its restoration. The surface of the stock, including the stock, was also full of dirt, which completely filled the structure of the woody plants. The butt had several longitudinal cracks in the surface and gradually increased and deformed as the corrosion on the main gradually increased.

 

First, it was necessary to remove hardened fine soil dirt from the whole set by washing with a fine nylon brush. Repeatedly up to the surface of the details of individual components, but mainly to clean the screw heads, including their grooves, for safe disassembly of individual parts. The dismantling of metal from wood went almost perfectly. The shoe is separated only after a long time, because the stock in this part partially faded and the corroded screws could not be loosened.

 

The butt was also more complicated. Its middle sleeve could not be removed, due to the swelling and deformation of the wood beneath it. First, the metal part of the airgun is dismantled, except for the individual components. After thorough washing in a solvent, where deposits and impurities have been removed, the surface is partially freed of corrosion crust, to such an extent that the residues of chemical blackening are preserved as much as possible. The internal components have a fairly well-preserved surface, without significant islands of corrosion damage. Therefore, it was possible to modify them into a semi-matt polished "white" metal.

 

In the case of other components, the surface is also partially blackened by means of chemical blackening and, after a thorough rinsing, stabilized with a tannin solution, mainly in places of firmly anchored corrosion. After it matures, it is polished with a soft fabric and impregnated with microcrystalline wax. Restoring the stock and stock was a bit more complicated and time consuming. It is washed several times with detergent solution, in the direction of the shoots, so that all soil dirt is washed away. Only after the third rinse did the wood surface appear satisfactory and ready for further restoration. First, all cracks are glued, mainly in the buttstock with a mixture of glue and brown clay. After its hardening, they are ground and any unevenness is sealed. Further glued holes for wood for a pair of shoe bolts. The wood at the shoe is still impregnated with a solution against rot and wood-destroying insects. Finally, after sanding, which was repeated three times, the entire stock is stained with an alcohol mordant.

 

A shellac polish was chosen as the final surface treatment of the wood, and polished to a semi-matt finish. After the overall assembly, a layer of microcrystalline wax is applied to the metal surface and polished after drying. The air rifle will be stored in the institution's depository.

 

Petr Moudry