Reworking (modifying) my H&A Minuteman. Not sure what wood was used to make the stock. I did apply some aqua fortis to a small area and after heating it turned a reddish brown color, sorry didn't take a picture of the stained area.
Hopkins & Allen Reworking, Stock Wood Question
- Thread starter kje54
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Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
Not having it in hand I’d guess it’s not birch as birch wood is very bland. This has some grain (not figure) and could be maple.
Some birch has a nice grain pattern, not all birch is bland. That said my first thought was it's maple but I'm not 100% sure.
Looks like maple to me.
Dave
Dave
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Looks birchie to me...
Does it taste like maple syrup or birch beer? Seriously could be either lets see some you put the stain on. Both stain better with an alcohol based stain rather than oil or wax.
But my bet is birch. cause it is cheaper than maple and H&A were cheap.
But my bet is birch. cause it is cheaper than maple and H&A were cheap.
I was thinnin' of using aqua fortis but I know that if it's birch alcohol stains work best or the results are blotchy.
I always thought H&A where Spanish made,, it's Beech wood.
Nope, all made in the US. I considered it might be beech but after doing close examination discarded that possibility.
Pete G
76 Cal.
Doesn't look like any maple I ever saw. 
Had reworked the stock (mostly up front), set it to the side after other priorities took precedent. Finally pulled it back out a couple of days ago, did some finish sanding then hit it with two coats of aqua fortis followed with one coat (so far) of Lin-Speed oil. It would seem @andy52 was correct, appears to be a low grade maple.
I still haven't done much with the one I have either kinda' figured it would be a winter project.
user 48679
54 Cal.
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IMO, it looks a lot like the Sycamore that Savage used to use on their Model 89 lever action .22 single shot rifle
That stock is from a Numrich arms minuteman and is most likely 50 years old, I would consider it unlikely that it's made of sycamore.IMO, it looks a lot like the Sycamore that Savage used to use on their Model 89 lever action .22 single shot rifle
My thinking is still that it's a low grade of maple or ash.
And your really not supposed to post photos of modern firearms on this site.
That's true. But in the 60's Numrich Arms acquired the rights to reproduce the Hopkins and Allen guns,, That's when the import parts began for the said Hopkins and Allen branded manufacture.
Don't dismiss the full history,,
Finally got around to finishing this project.
The forestock was shaved down significantly and shaped, proper ramrod tubes installed and patchbox cover replaced. I refinished it with aqua fortis and ToTW's Linspeed Oil. I replaced the brass barrel pins with steel pins and some of the screws which were messed up.
The forestock was shaved down significantly and shaped, proper ramrod tubes installed and patchbox cover replaced. I refinished it with aqua fortis and ToTW's Linspeed Oil. I replaced the brass barrel pins with steel pins and some of the screws which were messed up.
Nicely done 
