Pistol grip

[Pork Chop]

I am at the point of finishing the grips on my Confederate Revolver replica. (Navy Arms Griswold and Gunnerson revolver) I have Tru-oil from Birchwood Casey as the finish, but want to know if that would be "correct" for this pistol. I am not looking for a show piece and intentionally left some file marks and sanding marks on the brass and wood (not many, but enough that it does not look like a production piece) thinking that it may be a little more accurate for a Confederate piece. (If I am out to lunch on that, let me know)

Anyway, I want to know if I should stain the grips. They are walnut and have a nice although clear grain. I tried some of the oil in a hidden area and the wood does not darken that much. Would staining be a correct thing to do? Is the Tru-oil close to the correct finish?

Thanks for the help! :redthumb:

 

[Zonie]

:imo: Staining the grips is totally up to you.
I am sure the Confederates used whatever walnut was available to them, and as we all know one piece is going to be different from the next.

As for the grip's finish, I would think just a few coats of linseed oil would do.

The owners of most of the Southern companys that made guns seemed to be more interested in ripping off the Government than producing guns so I believe if there was a cheap way to cut corners (or finish the grips) they would have used it.
(Often, the owners didn't deliever anything and it wasn't until the Government went in and started production that anything was made.)

IMO, when making a Confederate pistol, it is easy to do to good of a job of finishing it.
As you know, the Confederates guns were often made by slaves and the workmanship left a lot to be desired. (This is not belittling the slaves abilities, but their training was minimal at best.)

Have Fun with your project!!

 

[broken arrow]

I have made some knife handles out of some walnut from the woodpile and all I used on them was satin finish tung oil. I like the "old time" look that it gives the wood. You can leave it satin or dull it a bit with a scotchbrite pad.

 

[Doc Arroyo]

A number of CW guns (both sides) that I have seen have a tinted varish for a finish. I was lucky enough to help with a couple of restoration projects and so we got to flake a touch of the origial finish off. One of the muskets had enough tint in the varnish, that it might have been called paint! :hmm:

So if the Truoil isn't dark enough for you, and some artist oilpaint to tint it to your liking! :thumbsup: