The painted stocks of history

[mattybock]

I've been reading a bit about historic furniture and have found that gun stocks were painted in some cases. Black paint or tar finish seemed to be common on military muskets, and Indians certainly applied strips, zig-zags and dots to their guns as well as more expensive brass tacks.

I've read germans painted their guns in a similar to their furniture. Most surprisingly I've seen photos of a type G english trade gun photographed under ultra violet light, showing vines and leaves painted around the butt of the gun. It was so striking to have seen a painted stock. The author of the work says that flowers, vines, leaves and other such work was common on trade guns. It stands to reason that people loved pretty things and such organic paints may have faded over time, for what few relics are left from that time period. But, I don't know if what I've been reading has been mostly supposition or if there is a good deal of truth to it.
So, how common were painted stocks? Who would various societal groups have painted their guns?

ps- got my FFL, business registration ,etc. The Acme Gun Company may be online this winter. Yay!

 

[Col. Batguano]

If you go to the Musee` d' Invalides in Paris there is a jaw dropping collection of the finest pieces of continental Europe, many of which had pained embellishment. But because a small arm is intended to be handled (more like a musical instrument and unlike furniture) it was far more common to engrave and inlay the embellishments, as, they are by nature more durable than a topical application like paint.

 

[Keb]

I like the painted trade guns. I've made a few. Here's a picture of a 28ga. x 48" long barreled "Type "G" painted with barn red milk paint.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I've heard too that sometimes the Bess was painted, and often the Sea Service Muskets had painted stocks....

Anybody out there have a source that details when and where..time periods and locations, that the Bess and Sea Service Muskets might have had painted stocks???

Perhaps a book suggestion? :wink:

LD

 

[mattybock]

From what little I could garner over time, the Brown Bess probably had a mix of finishes, all of which looked about the same.
There was the application of hot tar to black, lamp black, black paint and just plain boiled linseed oil. I'd believe, but have no actual evidence that, independent contractors for the United Kingdom were given a choice on finishes.
Linseed oil turns black when exposed to UV light from the sun, but that takes time. So the vast bulk of existing originals are black anyways.

 

[Artificer]

Cuthberson talks about what seems to have been the normal practice of rubbing beeswax into the stocks for a high polish on page 91, VIII

But there is an asterisk footnote to the page which reads:

* By going to some little expense, it will not be difficult to bring the stocks of the firelock to one uniform colour, by staining them either black, red or yellow; and then by laying on a varnish, to preserve them always in a glossy, shining condition.

Cuthbertson mentions the use of paint for the lock cover and other things so his use of the word “stain” in this case may have actually meant some kind of stain like we know it in the period or today OR it could have meant a paint pigment stain? I am also not entirely sure if the use of the word “varnish” actually meant a varnish of the period or an oil finish?

Dewitt Bailey does not mention painting Sea Service or Marine Musket stocks. He does mention “Black, Black’d, and Blackened” muskets which was considered one of two basic types of Muskets issued to ships, I.E. “Bright” and “Black.” The Black Muskets had shorter barrels (often around 37 inches long) and barrels that had a “Blue Black” finish, which probably or no doubt was done by heating the barrels to obtain that colour like many civilian arms. “Black Muskets” were intended to be used by Boat Crews, while “Bright Muskets” were intended for Sailors and Marines to use on landing parties ashore or on ships. I THINK that some people today mistake the “Black Muskets” for having been painted rather than the blue black finish on the barrel. However, Dr. Bailey also informs that there were almost no records kept of what arms were issued to ships during the early to late 18th century.

A British Naval Officer, who was the Captain of a ship (whether or not his actual rank was as a Naval Captain), had a LOT of latitude on the dress and arms for the Sailors and Marines under his command, though. So some of the muskets COULD have had the stocks painted after they were aboard the ships.

Gus

 

[Artificer]

P.S. After thinking about it a little more and considering what people on this forum have reported about the varying colours they get from Period Nitric Acid and other stains, I would almost bet the "stain" Cuthbertson mentioned used some kind of paint pigment. This because with so many different pieces of "walnut tree" wood in the stocks of even a Company, staining might well have caused the stocks to look LESS uniform than paint pigment stains.

Gus

 

[Muskeg Stomper]

:thumbsup:

 

[Ken Cormier]

I have no knowledge of these finishes. Even thou I do like the painted trade guns that are on Mr. Clay Smith web site. If I ever get permission to buy another gun.(Wife says you can shoot only one at time) LOL. And that I have too many. I will own one of his red painted trade guns with the vines and such. Just a rant :grin:

 

[Rick Boylan]

My wife used to say stuff like that and I told her, why do you own so many shoes? You can only wear one pair at a time?

She actually encouraged me to buy a new gun a couple of weeks back. She must want a new pair of shoes. :rotf:

 

[Mickc01]

Good one, Iowa. I gotta remember that! :hatsoff: