Stock Finish Other Than "Brown"?

[springfield art]

I have a nice little CVA .50 Mountain Rifle kit that someone had started work on many years ago. He did Excellent wood work, and I'm finishing it up soon. (It's from the 1980 period). I have so many "Brown" muzzleloaders, are there any suggestions as to a stain or coloration for this little gun? The wood is smooth, very plain, and doesn't have to appear like a true, old, antique gun. No Striping, please! Thx

 

[tenngun]

I have a nice little CVA .50 Mountain Rifle kit that someone had started work on many years ago. He did Excellent wood work, and I'm finishing it up soon. (It's from the 1980 period). I have so many "Brown" muzzleloaders, are there any suggestions as to a stain or coloration for this little gun? The wood is smooth, very plain, and doesn't have to appear like a true, old, antique gun. No Striping, please! Thx

Some maple guns were blond or honey colored. Red stain was popular in the north east. Green and yellow stains were also seen
Much of the darkness of today’s antiques are caused by oxidation over the years

 

[wiscoaster]

Yes!! Try red or honey. I think lighter-colored stocks are really very pretty, and show off the brass or iron furniture very well. I don't know how "historically correct" those colors are, and I don't care.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...l-58-caliber-smoothbore-maximum-bling.181896/

 

[SDSmlf]

Just for something to think about, I have read where some English trade guns were painted. And if my memory is correct, believe Mike Brooks finished at least one gun with a painted finish.

 

[Mzzlldrinpa]

Tried to stay lighter than most. I also wanted something different.

 

[FlinterNick]

A natural finish is fine, just use oil to finish it once it dries then varnish over it.

 

[Rató:rats]

I’m partial to redheads

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

What kind of wood is the stock? Have you looked at Laurel Mountain Forge stains? They have a color chart online.

https://laurelmountainforge.com/stain_colors v4.htm

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

Tried to stay lighter than most. I also wanted something different.

That looks really nice.
I like it.

 

[wiscoaster]

Tried to stay lighter than most. I also wanted something different.

Very nicely done. I like it!!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

A proper aqua fortis application is never just "brown". It should be a wholesome and warm tone.

 

[IL Rifle]

I used LMF Lancaster Maple as the base, then Fiebings mahogany over that. The color was followed by four applications of walnut colored Danish oil. Once the oil dried I coated with spar varnish for durability

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I used LMF Lancaster Maple as the base, then Fiebings mahogany over that. The color was followed by four applications of walnut colored Danish oil. Once the oil dried I coated with spar varnish for durability

Very handsome!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The wood is smooth, very plain, and doesn't have to appear like a true, old, antique gun. No Striping, please! Thx

So there were some finishes that were meant to be durable and sometimes decorative.
Sea Service muskets were painted black with oil based paint or were "Japanned" which is asphaltum dissolved into a solution
Some trade guns were painted Carolina Blue
Some trade guns were painted red. You can reduce the brightness of the red by adding a touch of black if you buy ready-mixed oil-based red, and be sure to use oil-based paint. I think a small can with the paint store mixing you your wanted color is a better idea. Some of these red stocked trade guns had vine patterns on them as well. I think the reddish stock with the vine pattern is quite nice, and it IS authentic.

LD

 

[springfield art]

So there were some finishes that were meant to be durable and sometimes decorative.
Sea Service muskets were painted black with oil based paint or were "Japanned" which is asphaltum dissolved into a solution
Some trade guns were painted Carolina Blue
Some trade guns were painted red. You can reduce the brightness of the red by adding a touch of black if you buy ready-mixed oil-based red, and be sure to use oil-based paint. I think a small can with the paint store mixing you your wanted color is a better idea. Some of these red stocked trade guns had vine patterns on them as well. I think the reddish stock with the vine pattern is quite nice, and it IS authentic.

View attachment 339701

LD

Hey, Loyalist! Thanks for the suggestions! Really appreciate!

 

[springfield art]

Nice comments! I kinda like the reddish, and the Carolina Blue; ever notice how oil based paint is almost a thing of the past? Major outlets are using acrylic, mostly. There's always a place and need for good ol' Oil Based! I love the vine theme.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Nice comments! I kinda like the reddish, and the Carolina Blue; ever notice how oil based paint is almost a thing of the past? Major outlets are using acrylic, mostly. There's always a place and need for good ol' Oil Based! I love the vine theme.

I think you can find "paint pens" which make the vines a lot easier to do. I was told when they did them on stained stocks they used India ink and then several coats of boiled linseed oil.

LD

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Always Red

 

[tenngun]

Just for something to think about, I have read where some English trade guns were painted. And if my memory is correct, believe Mike Brooks finished at least one gun with a painted finish.

Paint was very common for guns in the seventeenth century
Fell out of style in the eighteenth but still seen.
My doglock cr 1710 style, and a photo of original federal style rifle in a blond finish

 

[wiscoaster]

Paint was very common for guns in the seventeenth century
....

I'm a sucker for wood grain. I don't think I could ever do paint on a gun.