Tar as stain

[kansas_volunteer]

Tar and turpentine or other solvents has been used as a wood stain for a very long time. I've been doing a little research into it. I found this piece very interesting.

https://thefinishingstore.com/blogs/news/asphaltum-a-forgotten-finishing-gem
Some of you interested in traditional finishing may find it useful.. those absolutely convinced the only old timey stain to be used on rifles is aqua fortis will no doubt look down their noses at it. In the article discussion of tar stain on carvings suggest tar stain might be quite useful for long rifle builders. I'm planning to use tar to stain an exceptionally bland stock on my very poor boy rifle.

 

[Robby]

I fooled with it some years ago and found on maple with a good figure it would blacken the the soft part of the curl very nicely. It is hard to tell from color photo's but it reminded me of a picture of a Davie Crocket gun I had seen.
Robby

 

[Whitworth]

Interesting, thanks.

 

[Pete G]

One of the recommendations in the Dixie catalog...

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is a product I have used in restoring military surplus rifle stocks. It would be good for darkening around stock carvings and comes in various other colors.