Curley Maple stock

bladegrinder

Well-Known Member
Just finished building this Flintlock rifle from a kit, .58 with Curley Maple stock. I only got a couple pics today right after I completed it, it turned out nice
and plan on Knocking down a deer with it next hunting season.
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I used Nitric acid on the stock followed by eight coats of Chambers traditional stock oil then two coats of Minwax finishing wax.
that Nitric acid does the trick on curly maple! when you move the stock in the sun the curl moves around like 3D it really came out nice.
 
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The shipping crate this kit came in has a couple form blocks in it of curly maple, I should be able to get 2-3 sets of scales once I get them out, their screwed and hot glued in place so it'll take some wrangling to get them out.
Matching Bowie knife come to mind?
 
I used Nitric acid on the stock followed by eight coats of Chambers traditional stock oil then two coats of Minwax finishing wax.
that Nitric acid does the trick on curly maple! when you move the stock in the sun the curl moves around like 3D it really came out nice.
I may have to check out that oil finish. I used to have the supposedly Holland and Holland style kit from the African Express company from South Africa, but it is no longer availaible. Ditto for the Purdey still Warthog kit from Jeff's Outfitters. The only one of that type I can find online is the Napier kit, but it appears to only be available on the other side of the pond. I would know how to assemble the various different components of the kit that I had. I same with like 3 or 4 different solutions, not just the oil. I really liked that stuff.
 
I used Nitric acid on the stock followed by eight coats of Chambers traditional stock oil then two coats of Minwax finishing wax.
that Nitric acid does the trick on curly maple! when you move the stock in the sun the curl moves around like 3D it really came out nice.

Where does one get nitric acid now? I have to admit I got a little miffed Amazon isn't selling it. LOL After all, they sell reagent HCl. :D
 
A flintlock is for sure traditional shooting. Percussion caps were first gaining popular usage by 1830s and Wild Bill Hickok reported to favor "cap 'n ball" pistols when he died in 1876 (I've read he was actually carrying a .32 caliber brass cartridge revolver at time of death). That's almost 50 yrs, but still pales compared to the 200 yrs of flintlocks.

I got to writing about the history of flintlocks and totally forgot to comment on the rifle - WOW!! That is some really good workmanship there, and you've sure got the trick down for Curly Maple - really NICE. Does that barrel have a brown finish? It all looks GREAT
 
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Fitzo, the nitrate is iron nitrate...I forgot to mention that. I ordered it with the kit. I've used other premixed, and homemade versions but never really got good results and usually just threw them out so I wouldn't use them again Ha ha.

Also.....all Iron Nitrate is NOT the same.
 
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Ken, I cold browned the barrel. I applied it five times, rusting the barrel, carding it off each time, then coating with oil and carding off a few times then a generous coating of Johnson paste wax.
I blued the lock, I had to buy a spring vice to take it apart. these things have three leaf springs in them and the main one is under a lot of tension, a word of advice, if anyone ever takes one of these apart...buy a spring vice. vice grips can break them and if the main spring slips and hits you in the eye, it'll be half way thru you head before it stops Ha ha.
 
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