Staining TC Hawken stock

[Crawfish]

I’ve lurked on here for a long time, but have not posted much, if at all. I have learned a lot, but have a question.

i was given an old TC Hawken flintlock kit. I have almost everything done, and now am about to finish the stock. While whiskering the stock, I noticed the area around the lock, and forward, is a much lighter color than the buttstock area. It’s so much lighter, I’m going to stain the whole thing in an attempt to even it out some. It looks a little odd.

I have built several kits, and have used Birchwood Casey stains. My supply is almost exhausted, and I was curious what stain you all would recommend. The only stain I have left is the BC Red Colonial color. I thought that might be just too red In the lighter areas! My thought was to just use walnut stain on this rifle.

I am liking the way it looks so far. I have had an Italian replica flintlock Hawken for a very long time and I like the feel of that TC better.

All opinions welcomed!

 

[Kansas Jake]

I only used boiled linseed oil on the walnut stock I finished 40+ years ago on a TC kit and it turned out a nice dark walnut color. It didn't have lighter wood so I didn't have to worry about matching colors.

 

[TGJaeger]

Hey Crawfish,
Welcome! It is always good to have new members of the Board and of the muzzleloader fraternity!
Everyone has opinions, and especially on stock staining and finishing. The only opinion that matters is yours. I would try the stain you have in an area of the barrel Channel and also under the buttplatte. That way you can tell if it works for your tastes or if you want to try another color without any permanent damage. Remember, in the struggle is the glory!
Good luck!

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I agree with staining inside the barrel channel. Even before you did that, if you haven’t already... wet the stock with some water to get an idea of the coloring. It could be something outstanding on its own.

 

[rusty]

I have seen a TC finished with Watco danish oil, it looked very nice

 

[Blaze]

Years ago I built a TC Hawkin from a kit and used potassium permanganate. Mixed with water it looks purple but darkens right away. I've used the same mixture to darken deer antlers. This mixture was recommended by a gun builder, and a taxidermist, two different people.
For what it's worth.....good luck, there are many options.

 

[Crawfish]

Thank you all! I already swabbed the Red Colonial into the barrel recess, look fine, but I don’t know! I’ll take your advice and do the underside of the buttplate, as it is the fine, walnut looking part of the Gun. That may tell the tale!,

 

[Zonie]

To find out what the stock will really look like when it's finished, put a coat of water on the surface.
Walnut always looks much lighter when it's just bare wood than it will look when it is finished with oil. The water will let yous see temporary what the finished stock will look like.

 

[Phil Coffins]

You can stain the lighter area with the color of your choice and stain the whole again with another color to get to where you like. Wetting with water will give a idea of the color after finish is applied. You can redo the stain quite a bit before the finish is applied but that pretty well ends the experiment.

 

[Crawfish]

Thanks guys! I’m familiar with using water to see how the wood will look. I was quite pleased with the appearance of the stock until I worked my way up to the lock area.
I’ll just have to get a little creative! i am planning on using Laurel Mountain Forge Permalyn Gun Stock Finish. Those instructions say to clean up with mineral spirits, so I should be ok if I use a walnut stain I already have in my shop. It’s all oil based stain, but should be ok.
I’ll thin it down and do several costs til I get what I want.
correct me if I’m wrong, but I am assuming the order of application to be:

stain the stock

seal the stock

finish the stock......... with usual drying and sanding between coats in all steps
thanks for the info, everyone!

 

[JeffG]

I stain lighter areas and sapwood with Fiebing's alcohol based leather dye. I usually stain the whole stock. Always a winner.

 

[josie wales]

Check out Keda wood dyes, Five color powders to make any color you want when mixed with rubbing alcohol.

 

[Crawfish]

I found Fiebing leather dye at my local Michaels. Dark Brown is what they had. It went on very well, and stock is drying as I write this.

 

[skoda]

I've had great luck with Fiebings leather dye as well. Somehow it gives a nice, rich color that other stains don't.

 

[COTNTOP]

Thin your Permalyn for your first coat.

 

[Crawfish]

The dark brown Fiebings dye did a good job of darkening the lock area, which did not match the rest of the rifle. I was able to blend it in, although the stock is pretty dark. I did add just a wee bit of the Colonial Red to the Dark Brown.
First coat of Permalyn Sealer drying as I write this.
in terms of the next step, would a rifle like this have a blued barrel? Or a browned one? I would assume blued, but I personally like the look of a browned barrel

 

[flashpoint]

Stain??
I have a T/C Seneca and the factory finish was some sort of Poly that was sprayed on. The finish had an yellowish orange look to it which I never really liked. I had Frontier refinish the stock which turned out to be what they call "flame walnut or curly walnut". You would never know what beauty was beneath that factory finish just looking at it. Frontier did a beautiful job with no staining involved. I guess my point is why use a walnut stain when the wood is already walnut? Just a thought.

 

[Crawfish]

I stained the stock as the wood in the lock area was so light colored it looked very strange.

 

[flashpoint]

I stained the stock as the wood in the lock area was so light colored it looked very strange.

Oh, OK. I am sure it will look great now that it all looks the same. Good luck and show us a picture when it's all done.

 

[russellshaffer]

The dark brown Fiebings dye did a good job of darkening the lock area, which did not match the rest of the rifle. I was able to blend it in, although the stock is pretty dark. I did add just a wee bit of the Colonial Red to the Dark Brown.
First coat of Permalyn Sealer drying as I write this.
in terms of the next step, would a rifle like this have a blued barrel? Or a browned one? I would assume blued, but I personally like the look of a browned barrel

I browned mine 40 years ago with Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown. It still looks good and I think it goes better than bright blue on a Hawkin style rifle. Just my opinion.