"Old Timers"

[MLBob Furia]

Received these two Wisconsin bluebills dating to the 1920's from Jim Bosanny (Wiz Boz). As you can see, they were in pretty rough condition and all paint had been stripped away. Bodies were tinder-dry balsa and pretty badly roughed up.

The plan was to do a "period" repaint and put some color back on the birds; but to do them justice, it was obvious that they needed to look like they'd gone through the wars that their condition and age indicated.

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[Dick Sargeant]

They look like they worked............nice shape to the heads !
sarge

 

[MLBob Furia]

After a call to Bill Kennedy in Teaxas, I had a better idea of which direction to go + a "shopping list" of finishes to gather. The internet provided plenty of reference on paint schemes used on Wisconsin decoys in the 1920's.

So after a few weeks of trying to add a bit of color; yet still trying to make these old decoys look as old as they really are, here's the result. Right now they're sitting outside drying, as my final step was to attempt to stabilize that 'punky' balsa with one of Bill's "secret sauces." It seems to have worked. Might soak the bodies down one more time with it before sending them off.

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[John Augustine]

Great Job!
I couldn't imagine how you were going to make them look RIGHT when I saw the first picture.
What you've done with them is pure magic! John

 

[CAnderson]

Quite simply awesome! Those look fantastic.

 

[wis boz]

Bob
Wow! I think you did it--thank you! These will be a gift to my son who now takes me hunting.
wis boz

 

[Al Hansen]

What a nice thread. That pair of Scaup must have some stories that they have been saving up all of these years. I'll bet wis boz could pull a few out of them.
Al

 

[tgentry]

Man, those are awesome. Would love to have those on my mantel. Trip.

 

[wis boz]

Bob
You are prophetic; after viewing the excellent job you did on those bluebills I spotted several flocks of bluebills on a nearby lake. What's ironic about that is there haven't been any ducks all season on that bit of water--some geese but never bluebills. They had to be in transit. Wish I had had a decent camera to capture it.
regards
Jim wis boz

 

[BlaineD]

SWEET!

 

[Huntindave McCann]

These will be a gift to my son who now takes me hunting.

Hey Boz,


Got any more you can have Bob rework and then give to good friends??? hint hint :>) :>)

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Bob,

Really nice work, you nailed it.

 

[wis boz]

Sorry Dave
George Goosell got the last one.
wis boz

 

[Tom Roberts]

Looks like they may be infested with lead ticks. LOL Great looking decoys!

 

[Ron Smith]

They look very nice. You are an artist. I was given a Wisconsin BB by a friend of mine that lives and hunts on Lake Winnebago. It is about that same condition.

 

[Howard]

Great work Bob!

 

[Dennis Smith]

Bob

Whatever paint job you put on those old birds, it will look great.

.