OG SMR Finish

[Tman]

Hello Everyone,

I didn't see a section to introduce myself like on some other forums, but I just joined. 

Recently, I ordered a Kibler SMR and have been looking at a lot of examples of rifles as inspiration for what I will do on mine.  One thing I've noticed on the originals that are made from curly maple is that they have these areas that are really dark, almost black.  The rifle on top in this video is an example of what I'm talking about:



Does anyone know anything about this?  Is the dark color just like wear and patina or is it actually the finish?  The spots that are a lighter, more orange, color are on the high wear areas: around the grip, on the edges, and the stock in front of the trigger where it's held.  I guess, ultimately, I'm wondering what the original color of these rifles was.  I don't see this same blackness on the walnut stock rifles, at least not to that extent. 

[Wingshot]

I’m certainly no expert but I think I know what you’re going for and I’d suggest watching Kibler’s video on using Bone Black. It’ll give that time worn patina I think you’re after.

[Tman]

I’m certainly no expert but I think I know what you’re going for and I’d suggest watching Kibler’s video on using Bone Black. It’ll give that time worn patina I think you’re after.

Is it patina or is it the actual finish, though?  It covers a really big area on the butt and I haven't seen that on other rifles.  Or perhaps these mountain guns were used so much that they got that much more worn compared to the others.

[Clowdis]

May be the original finish since linseed oil tends to darken with age. You can simulate this darkening with your stain or with the top finish.

[AZshot]

I believe a wooden item will often develop a black layer after generations of use - if it is not cleaned.  It's basically dirt from handling it in all conditions of weather, humidity, smoke, and such. 

Guns with beautiful grain still showing were either not used as hard, or were cleaned hard over the generations.  You can see black on old furniture too, if it's pushing 200 years old or more.

[Scota4570]

You can make the Ferric nitrate stain go black by treating it with tannic acid.  Kibler sells both.  He has youtube videos on how to stain and finish maple. 

You can also use dye stains.  Kibler has those in variations of browns and red-brown.  They can be used to adjust the color.  You can get black stain and others from https://laurelmountainforge.com/stain_colors%20v4.htm also. 

For the first stock  I'd stick with the Ferric Nitrate alone.  IT will be nice.  Each piece of wood is different and will give color variations.  Accepting that rather than fighting it is something I am doing most of the time now. 

I find that three or four coats of dilute spar varnish is enough.  I then rub it back and put some linseed on top.  My son and I did just that last week and the result was excellent.  He even scratched it and I showed him how to cover it with leather dye and a dab of linseed. 

[Tman]

Thank you everyone for all of your input and also the resources you shared!