Thanks for clearing that up Jeff.
I don't like fake striping much either, except on a Leman, as it is expected. But then, to me, that's not fake curl, that'd just the Leman finish and I tend to believe the research that revealed it was applied with ink.
Burning shouldn't even be consider as an option for striping as burt wood is week wood. As with ramrod burning, I believe this is a mid 20th century invention.
AF doesn't necessarily darken but imparts color change....sometimes light. I suppose if it is a stronge mixture it could darken enough. One theory is that many "black" guns seen today were treated with AF and not neutralized and the reaction over time continued to darken the wood.
I was at a show a while back where a collector had two signed mid-19th century Western PA rifles that were nearly identical in every way, but one had was a beautiful amber and the other nearly black. This black was "in" the wood, not "on" it. If that is the case, how long it took we can only speculate. I think I have pictures on my camera, I'll have to look.
Anyway, if there is a way to impart convincing figure to otherwise unfigured maple I haven't seen it yet.
Enjoy, J.D.