Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder, but...

[Buffler Razz]

I'm agonizing over something and I know it's dumb, BUT...my next build is going to be a Colonial style Fowler with a cherry stock. In my minds eye I was thinking of brass furniture, but the vendor I'm working with commented that steel looks really nice with the cherry. Something I had not thought about before and it has me wondering which way to turn.

Any thoughts, or better yet, pictures of such a combo?

Thanks,
Razz

[Ezra]

I prefer brass.  It is more historically correct for the type of firearm you describe.  While steel is not unknown on those types of firearms, it was the exception, not the rule.  Personally, I like the contrast of the brass and cherry.  I am currently making a Chambers smooth rifle with and nice piece of cherry and brass hardware.  I don't have any pictures...yet.  Good luck.


Ez

[Acer Saccharum]

If you are going historical accuracy, I'd use brass. In general, a Cherry stock says New England or NYS to me. Very few guns of that location and period had steel furniture that I know of.

[Acer Saccharum]

When you ask a question 'what looks better?", that is entirely up to you.

my friend's wife could not make up her mind what color to paint the newly trimmed out bathroom. This went on for a year, unpainted. Louie says "just paint the darn room in a color you like".

So his wife called in an Ethan Allen Furniture store consultant. They got the color picked out for the bathroom. And the living room, and new furniture, and drapes, and carpet.......

So too, will you get many answers here, but the most important answer is YOURS. Consider all the replies, but, really, who do you have to please? You or the vendor?

[Buffler Razz]

Thanks all. I certainly understand that the choice is mine. I was wondering what it looked like with steel and Yes, what would have been more appropriate. I'm going for the brass.
Thanks again!
Razz

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Here is Cherry & Brass fowler:

[smallpatch]

Here's a Chamber's NE Fowler, cherry stock, brass furniture.

I think it's the way to go.

[northmn]

I think sometimes we get a little too hung up on the little things.  I do not know how you folks maintain the guns, but once brass oxidizes over time and cherry starts darkening you have a pleasant contrast.  I let the furniture age on my guns such that the brass mellows out.  Some like them shiney some don't.  Is it a wall hanger, get togethers to show off, or are you going to beat the brush with it? 

DP

[Stophel]

I think iron looks good on walnut, but I don't like it on cherry.

[volatpluvia]

buffler razz,
Sorry I don't have pics of the three cherry stocked gonnes I built with rust browned steel furniture, but I thought they looked real good.  However, do build what you like.
volatpluvia

[Buffler Razz]

Thanks all, I really appreciate the photos. I've been looking toward the brass all along and will head that way.

Tim & Dane: do you mind sharing what you used for your finishes? Stain, lye, oil,

Thanks,
Razz

[smallpatch]

Buffler,

Not at all.  I used an orange alcohol based stain as a pre-stain, then LMF American Walnut, and several coats of Lancaster Maple.  LMF stains are very predictable, just keep adding and steel wooling off in the wear areas to get what you want.

For a finish.... Chamber's Oil all the way.

The whole guns was then antiqued ala Mike Brooks, and a couple more coats of Chambers oil on top to seal it all up.

Hope that helps.

[Buffler Razz]

Smallpatch
Thank you very much.
Razz