Death in Family

[bdixon]

We have had a death in the family.  A distant hermit type fellow who dabbled in Gun building.  It appears all of his tools / parts , etc, etc are coming my way.  I did notice he had two maple blanks that appeared to be rough cut for possibly a Bedford style stock.  Here is the question, I only had a glance at them, they are very figured full length, but appear to have a pinkish, splotchy pattern to them.  Can you have a marbled appearance in a piece of maple??


Brett.

[BrentD]

the 'Pinkish" sounds like spalting - fungal infection.  It can be quite beautiful and desirable.  Or maybe that is just the way that wood is colored.  Soft, boxelder maple is often spalted with pretty intense reds and other colors. 

The "splotchy" could be flame figure - often considered quite desirable. 

[bdixon]

I just looked up Spalt and it doesn't look like that, Beats me, but I think it is hard maple.  Either way it is coming my way.  I will have D. Keck look at it and give me an Idea what I have if anything at all??  Kindling for the stove at the very least.

Thanks

Brett.