period finish on walnut gun stocks

[re-enactor]

Any thoughts on finishing walnut stocks for a fusil? What would be the best combination to get a historically correct look for a fusil type "d"? If the grain is awesome would an oil finish alone be advisable?

 

[54ball]

For a period finish on walnut, I suggest a oil varnish.
This may or may not be the look you are after. Some of the finishes today will give a gun an aged look. For instance the grain is filled with a with a dark filler and the gun stock is lovingly finished to take best advantage of the wood's natural bueaty.

A period finish may be a simple application of a tinted varnish on unstained wood.

To push the easy button Jim Chambers offers a excellant linseed based varnish.
Some builders like Eric Kettenburg have made period "leaded" linseed based varnishes. These varnishes are cooked with lead or lead oxide and have a dark amber to darker brown tint.

Period accounts "almost" 1812, recomend the application of camphor based varnishes with different tints of brown, green and black. These varnishes were applied to the barrel as well as the wood in the field. Keep in mind this was done on rifles to reduce glare. This is from the 1812 Handbook for Riflemen.

The Springfield Armory simply dunked stocks in linseed oil for Garand production in WWII. Some say that practice dated back to the 1795 musket.

For a period type simple finish you may consider an application of shellac to seal the grain followed by a lightly tinted oil varnish like from Chambers.

 

[re-enactor]

Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping the grain is nice and if so I actually lean toward the linseed oil finish approach too. Like you said, I've learned that some manufacturers like for the Springfield 1803 rifle oiled the stocks.

It seems a challenge then of striking a balance between the new look of an oil finish and the aged look that resembles the antiques. I'll check out your suggestions and fortunately I've got some time to inquire.

 

[54ball]

I have read that original 1803 rifles for instance, show evidence of a brown varnish. Was this original armory, or later like the "in the field" Camphor varnishes?

Some original Hawkens and a few 18th Century guns show evidence of a brown Varnish. Some guns were even painted like the Bumford Trade Guns.

I guess mt point is that some guns were finished rather plain with a dark varnish, especially trade and utility pieces.

 

[re-enactor]

I am wondering now if some our folks on the forum have used French red walnut stain and filler on walnut stocks. Has anybody used brownells product to enhance the color of walnut? This may not be HC, but still a nice way to finish the stock. What do you think?

 

[pargent]

Most originals that I have looked at closely have had the remains of a varnish or shellac finish on them (British Military Guns ).

 

[54ball]

I'm sure that would look good if you like a reddish hue. Black and dark brown filler look good too.
You may want to search my topics as I had a wanut finish thread back in Oct-Nov 2012. There is some mighty nice walnut gun photos in that thread. Just go to 54ball and look in topics by this user. It may answer some of your questions.

One thing that may be worth considering...
Walnut is open grained. Filler is used to fill and make the surface glass smooth. It is doubtfull that a trade gun was finished so finely. Most likely a simple coat of varnish atop un filled wood was the finish they received. This will give the stock a texture, even after the varnish.
One thing you might could try especially if you have a small chunk of walnut to test.

Varnish with an oil based varnish on unfilled walnut. Then apply aging agent, flat black Rustoleum. Then rub it off with fine steel wool. Then top it with paste wax and buff with a soft cloth. The black should be captured in the texture.
I know this is backwards from how walnut is commonly finished but may be appropiate for what you want to do especially if you want an aged look. If you go that route you can leave more of the black behind and under places like the lock panels.

 

[re-enactor]

Hey thanks for the input. I read your earlier posts on the subject too. This is an interesting project in seeking to be somewhat authentic on building a fusil with a walnut stock, but not ruin the beauty of a nice grained wood.
You all are great to share your experiences. Ultimately, I plan to test out various finishes while looking at some old guns if the opportunity comes up.

 

[Elnathan]

One thing that may be worth considering...
Walnut is open grained. Filler is used to fill and make the surface glass smooth. It is doubtfull that a trade gun was finished so finely. Most likely a simple coat of varnish atop un filled wood was the finish they received. This will give the stock a texture, even after the varnish.

It might depend on the grade of the fusil in question, too. IIRC, DeWitt Bailey quotes a letter from one of the Brimingham gunsmiths supplying the British with copies of American rifles to give to their Indian allies in which the gunsmith explains the difference between different grades of rifles is mostly in the finish used and is not readily apparent to non-gunsmiths.

 

[re-enactor]

Thanks Elnathan. It makes sense that there would be some variation in manufacturing not to mention the patina on the finish might be variable also.