Is there any record of Brazilian Rosewood being used in a decorative way on a muzzleloader?

[andy52]

I have several revolver grips made of rosewood, but I have never seen a piece big enough for a rifle stock.

 

[Cruzatte]

I have several revolver grips made of rosewood, but I have never seen a piece big enough for a rifle stock.

I think the OP's original intention was to use the rosewood as a decorative element; inlays, a nose cap, perhaps a patchbox lid, that sort of thing.

 

[Sudsy]

I think the OP's original intention was to use the rosewood as a decorative element; inlays, a nose cap, perhaps a patchbox lid, that sort of thing.

Yup
WAY too heavy a wood to use as a full stock, even pistol. Might as well make it out of granite (about as easy to work as well)

I'm thinking a two layer patchbox lid, smaller carved design curly maple on top of rosewood (I'd go carved rosewood over maple but have you ever tried to carve Rosewood? NOPE !! Engrave it, maybe), a rosewood Ramrod (thanks dave_person for the idea), maybe a rosewood nose cap but undecided about that as it might take away from the look of the ramrod, maybe small side plates to hold the barrel pins

- any other ideas ?

I don't want to use it where it will be holding screws

 

[Sudsy]

Thinking out loud here..
Small brass ovals, inside rosewood ovals for the barrel pins (or wedges, haven't decided that yet)

 

[Sudsy]

Still thinking...
Would need to go with a slightly lighter finish on the stock or the rosewood will not stand out at all

 

[pamtnman]

I have some incredibly beautiful deep dark, rock hard, figured wood that was destined to become guitar fretboards
Unfortunately the company went bust. I was their real estate broker and had the opportunity to buy some of this wood up (along with the luthiers bench where Johnny Cash, Eddie Van Halen and a few other stars sat while their guitars were being taken care of,)

South America was already well settled at the time most of the guns we are interested in were made. I find it hard to believe that some of these exotics never made it into any of them.

I'm thinking about combining some into the wooden patch box, an inlay or two, and maybe as a nose cap in a Chambers Smooth Rifle build I'm doing.

Cased English rifles 1770s-1970s often came with turnscrews with rosewood or ebony handles, and rosewood or ebony ramrods. Often the small jars in the case are made from turned rosewood or ebony, too. If you have this stuff, treasure it.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I think you could use it for some nice inlays. I have used Ebony on a cheek piece, but Rosewood would be nice too.
If you do, and glue it in with a wood glue (like Titebond), be sure to wipe the gluing surface with alcohol or acetone to remove the surface oils or your glue won’t adhere.

 

[reddogge]

I still have two Bear recurve bows from the 60s with rosewood risers. They are beautiful things. I also used to own a Martin D35 guitar with a 3 piece rosewood back. They didn't have enough pieces big enough to do a one piece back at that time.

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

I don't know if it's the translator's fault. But I know they got confused... Brazilwood, Jacarandá (Rosewood )and Ipê are three completely different trees. Brazilwood is very hard to find, it has a red color from which red dyes were extracted in the 16th century. It is the preferred tree for making violin bows. Rosewood is the most decorative, has beautiful designs and was used in fine furniture and musical instruments. It is also rare and endangered. Ipê is the heaviest, hardest, with a dark green tone. The powder from it really burns your nose. It was often used for roof structures, but it is still commercially exploited, mainly for flooring and pool decks. It is also used in the construction of bows, making a perfect pair with bamboo.