Stock decoration

[robtattoo]

I've got a couple of plane Jane rifles sat here, a Lyma GPR & a CVA Squirrel. I'm really in the mood to add a little 'personality' to both of them & I was thinking of adding a few simple, decorative studs to the offsides of the butt & along the forearm, along with an inlay to the cheekpiece of the GPR.
Does anyone have any photos of stud-patterns on rifle stocks?

 

[larry wv]

I have looked for photos of guns with tacks online. Not many . But a lot with inlays. Larry

 

[halem5]

I've seen a few, but for the life of me I can't find the links. Most of the ones I've seen are in that I would call a "laying cross" style, with smaller studs positioned in between the cross "blades", if that makes sense....almost like a snowflake pattern.

Just like you I have a GPR that I will have it's stock studded in this style. I have hand pounded brass furniture tacks that I will be aging with vinegar to make the above mentioned pattern.

I will continue to search through my bookmarks...I know I have a pic somewhere...I'll see what I can find for ya.

 

[Walks Alone]

Sure seems like most of the original stocks I've seen decorated with tacks were firearms that belonged to Native Americans, and were mostly from the later lever gun era. So I'd think tacks would fit a NA persona. To me less is more... they could get gaudy real easy just like inlays can.

Another idea maybe... I had a CVA Squirrel 32 that somebody had decorated with small diameter copper "spots" done in simple patterns on it's stock. Not as noticeable as tacks so they didn't look gaudy. Was probably copper wire/rod driven into predrilled holes - a dotted line just inside the brass butt plate all the way around with a chevron out into the stock on each side, and a line around the nose of the forend. My 36 Squirrel is mint and not "tacked" thankfully.

Like the others mentioned, I've seen pictures of several tacked firearms, but can't put my finger on where right now. Might be some in my old Arizona Highways out in storage.

Anyway, a start for you... a Cherokee with tacks. Tastefully done I guess, but what a shame it was done to a Cherokee. My 32 Cherokee was mint and looked just fine without tacks thank you (and I'd bet the gent I sold it to felt the same).

 

[LaBonte]

just few....on both muzzleloaders and lever guns...

and sometimes more ...is just more.......

 

[Dan Goad]

I know this is just my opinion but they just detract from the real beauty of those guns. The eye is drawn to the "decoration" rather than the lines of these guns. OK, i've vented now.

Jac S. Muell

 

[LaBonte]

Different strokes - beauty is in the eye of the beholder....plus tacks are historically correct for those so choosing a certain look and are a matter of a completely different esthetic than that of the average "white" man....
personally I do prefer the less is more, but then again I like the look of tacks and I'm of mixed blood heritage -

 

[Dan Goad]

You're absolutle right. It is all in personal preferences. I prefer the looks of finished wood and steel in a well made gun. To me, they do not need any additional enhancements. I mean no offense to anyone who thinks otherwise.

Jac S. Muell

 

[Stumpkiller]

Here's my pretty simple New Englander. I can recommend the forend and wrist tacks for adding a lot of grip when it's friggin cold and the mittens are on. I have hunted -15º with this one and my fingers were stiff, frozen bananas at that point. (Note - the group was one shot that had been in the bore 11 months and four more that had been lubed & patched in a ball-block for the same).

 

[robtattoo]

Merci Monseiur LaBonte!
Just what I was looking for :bow:

I agree, less can definately be more as far as decoration goes but I do love the look of those tacked up stocks!

 

[Dan Goad]

That is a practical application that I hadn't thought of. Looks pretty good, it's not obtrusive at all. Thats about the best I've seen.
Thanks

Jac S. Muell

 

[Blackfoot]

Ive got one that was done nicely, I will try and find the picture of it.

 

[OLDPUPPYMAX]

You might pick up Fadala's book Muzzleloading Hobby Gunsmithing. It provides numerous samples and instructions for stock decoration. A very handy book and something most blackpowder shooters will enjoy.

 

[El Lobo]

LaBonte, that is some serious tradegun bling. :thumbsup:

Lobo

 

[Tinker2]

These are garment tacks

Tinker2

 

[Many Klatch]

I bought a used Bess that had tacks on the stock. It took three shots for me to decide that I had to take the tacks off. Every time I shot, the recoil caused the tacks to pull hairs out of my beard. So if you are going to put tacks on, don't put them on the face side.

Many Klatch

 

[paulab]

Klatch.....you could also shave off your beard on the stock side.....problem solved! :haha: HAPPY NEW YEAR Paul

 

[fort fireman]

I think it looks TACKY!!! :rotf:
Sorry I couldn't help myself. I am ashamed. :grin:

 

[Poor Private]

Just like you I have a GPR that I will have it's stock studded in this style. I have hand pounded brass furniture tacks that I will be aging with vinegar to make the above mentioned pattern.

Why bother aging with vinegar. Too me it's like making your brass coat buttons look older by peeing on them. Let them age naturally if your after that aged look. Remember they had to be new some time. And if your after a period look it wouldn't looked aged back them it would look new.
To me it's like buying a gun that has patina on it, so that it has that old look is wrong, guns back then didn't have that patina, the patina is to make a current gun look like an antique, not a gun from the period. They took pride in the look of thier guns as much as we should. They took care of them as if thier life depended on them---Oh wait it did! Thier weapon was thier life-for hunting, and for self defense. If they decorated it's because they were proud of it. If your proud of your gun your going to keep it clean and nice and shiny to show it off. Not to look like you just pulled it out of a dirt pile or mud puddle.
This is only my point of view-others perspective may be different.

 

[fm50ford]

Some people like them and some don't. I pesonally like a carving on the stock. I have a CVA 45 cal Kentucky with a pheasant on one side and a racoon on the other, carved for me by my brother before he had a stroke. I love it and have received many compliments on it. Just my opinion.
Fred