Spotted trade gun stocks

[conquerordie]

I can not seem to find an image or even a decent description of what this stock would be like. I get it was spotted, but how large were the spots? India ink or paint? I can find reference to them but no real good descriptions as to size. Any ideas? Thanks for the help

[oakridge]

Could they be referring to spots that Indians put on the guns? The dome-headed tacks that Indians used to decorate gun stocks are also referred to as "spots".

[rich pierce]

I think Clay Smith has done this before. Check out his website.

[conquerordie]

Yeah I first read of them on Clays website. Everything pictured is vines painted. I might just drop him a line to see. Thanks again

[Mike Brooks]

I don't believe there are any surviving guns to use an example.

[conquerordie]

Might not be any surviving examples. Think how lucky we are to have the originals we do. I picture  of spots with India ink over paint or wood around inch to inch and a half in diameter randomly placed on the stock. Not perfect circles with a template but free hand with a brush. What do you think Mr. Brooks? Thanks,
SOL1777

[Mike Brooks]

I really don't know what to think. If I were to do it I'd probably make a stamp and stamp them with paint randomly on the stock. probably around 1".

[ottawa]

could it have been the ''spots '' left behind from tacks on the stock that had been removed ?

[conquerordie]

I emailed Mr. Smith to ask his opinion. As none exist, size is pure speculation but 3/4 to 1" seems reasonable. Also one stock could have different size spots throughout. Technique, again speculation, aqua fortis dabbed on in spots. Heated an tada! Spots. I'm seeing this for my next build. I think it would be an interesting piece. Odd though, documented to the period, but complete speculation as to process and appearance.

So I'd like you opinions. The stock wood I'd be using is maple. I'd use ferric nitrate like I used on my short jaeger. The color was great. But since I'd only be putting a dab here and a dab there, how would I finish the stock? Some kind of oiI finish. Obviously I'd want the spots to be in contrast to the rest of the stock to stand out. Would a treatment like oil on walnut or beech work? Thanks for everyone's help.
Greg

[Mike Brooks]

Go beech.

[ddoyle]

I recall seeing a painting with a "spotted" trade gun. Will try and see if I saved an image of it. IIRC it was portrayed as a lightish yellow with black dots.

There is a book out there (if you interested I have the ISBN number somewhere) on Indian Weaving Patterns. My guess is that any pattern that made it into textiles would be legit on a musket.

[conquerordie]

Yep beech wood be correct but I purchased the maple stock with the barrel inletted as a deal.  I either go English fowler or trade gun. I know the setup would be easier if I  just went English commercial type fowler, but a spotted trade gun is hard for me to resist

[rich pierce]

If you paint it, doesn't matter what wood you use. I'd prefer to see an English fowler stocked in English walnut. Otherwise I'd be tempted to make a colonial militia fun/fowling piece in British style if using maple. Just a stickler for historical plausibility. :-)

[conquerordie]

Rich,
Your right on both accounts. If I painted it you wouldn't know. But to "spot it correctly" I'd have to use aqua fortis or ferric nitrate. I could do an American fowler as well. Nobody has a way to lightly stain or just oil treat maple to give it an appearance of beech. I might be able to do the spots with ferric nitrate crystals and then do a light stain to darken the rest of the stock slightly. Again thanks for everyone's thoughts and opinions.
Greg