American Long rifle Stock Stain Question

[user 59473]

I have a question for those who have seen either pictures of,or actual,1770-1790 Isaak Haines style long rifles. Are the inlets for the patchbox, flintlock and lock plate stained? I recently purchased one and they are not. I don’t know where to find out. Thanks in advance.

 

[64Springer]

I would say those areas don't have color because aqua fortis was not applied to those areas.

Fear of rusting iron furniture.

But I could be talking out of my butt.

 

[EC121]

If you stain the the inlets, the wood will swell and may make things tight. Same with finish. You end up having to scrape the finish out of the inlets to make your parts go back in the wood.

 

[rich pierce]

I would say those areas don't have color because aqua fortis was not applied to those areas.

Fear of rusting iron furniture.

But I could be talking out of my butt.

Plus, not visible. But rust avoidance and difficulty of blushing aquafortis in a hole without charring edges may have been the most compelling reason not to stain inlets.