What is the final wood surface standard found on original rifles.

[Jerry V Lape]

About to apply finish to a Leonard Reedy copy I have been working on for sometime but the question is probably more generalized.  What does it appear the original wood prep of the 1790s achieved?  For example were some scraping marks acceptable in that era or was a glass smooth very fine grit surface as with modern rifles achieved?

[bob in the woods]

There are many here with a lot more knowledge than me, but , I know that even some rather high end European guns that I have been able to view in museums have had some  evidence of tool marks . Even some with wood patches in the stock which seem to be original to when the gun was first made .

[Eric Kettenburg]

Funny you mention Reedy because a number of years ago, Bill Mende gave me a giant pile of photos he had taken of a Reedy rifle under magnification.  It was very evident that Reedy had used something like small needle files and scrapers all around the carving to level the background, and that was the surface finish that was visible when viewed closely.

[Jerry V Lape]

Eric
The Reedy’s I have examined and photos all seem rough around the carving.  Looks on most as if he gouged around the carving as an accent.