Stain Question

[greymount]

I am in the process of bulding a Early York Rifle (Ca 1770-1780) and am wondering what color of Laurel Moutain Forge stain or combination of stains would be the most authentic for this rifle. I know that Reading/Lehigh Valley rifles had a reddish tint but am not sure what York rifles were. Also would the brass patchboxes #10580 and 10910 in the Muzzleloaders Builders Supply catalog be accurate fo this rifle and timeperiod.

 

[LSU TIGER]

I'd go for a brown stain with gold highlights. For the patchbox, I'd use # 10820 in the MBS catalog. Which ever design you use, stick to brass. German Silver wasn't around until sometime after 1825 to 1830.

 

[r brandt]

My copy of Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750 to 1850 shows York Rifles of your time period and none of the patchboxes of that time period have any piercings. From Muzzleloaders Building Supply catalog, 11005 comes closest to the ones illustrated. It is my opinion that the color of the wood was often decided by the wood. If Aqua Fortis was used as the stain it seems to come out different depending on the percentage used and the wood it is applied to. So I would say it depends on the color you like and would want to carry for a few years.

Rob Brandt
San Diego