People like vibrant curly maple now and I would think in the period as well. I will say that beginners tend to put a great deal of emphasis on amount of curl, vividness etc. Experienced builders will often be happy with plainer wood and commonly obscure some of the curl with finishing methods.
Hi Jim, good morning.
I see myself in that comment, I'm one of the beginners who has orders in with you for extra fancy rifles. I can tell you what the reason is for me: In a sea of my ordinary, utilitarian possessions, all of which are fine and perfectly adequate, I want one thing that is presentation grade fit for a President or King, and having held one of your rifles that will do the trick.
I shoot a Lyman GPH, it's nice enough, perfectly functional and not aesthetically offensive, but a vibrant extra fancy maple American longrifle, particularly graceful ones like a PA or mountain rifle are among the most beautiful things in the world, and I want one bad. And I'm going to length of building 2, just so I'm sure to have 1 that is what I want... it's a bit of an obsession.
After I have one I won't need one anymore, so as you foretell I will probably choose a plain stock for next project and focus on making something else about it unique, like learning to do the severe aging and distressing that some show on this forum, things that I wouldn't dream of doing to an extra fancy.
I'm learning so much here and from your and other members posts and vids, thanks so much. I go back to the shadows now until I have something new to say.