Jason Lewis
Moderator
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,654
- Reaction score
- 8
i've been thinking about something i've read in the grinslad fowler book about BLO being the least protective and was probably not used. here is the quote " a product probably not used on quality guns was linseed oil or boiled linseed oil. Bob Flexner in Understanding Wood Finishing writes, "of all finishes except wax, linseed oil is the least protective. it's a soft, thin, finish, so it provides no significant barrier against scratching. it's also easily penetrated by water and water vapor. Liquid water will work through a linseed oil finish and cause a smudge within five to ten seconds. water vapor will pass through a linseed oil finish almost as if it weren't there" For these reasons, linseed oil is an unsatisfactory exterior coating for stocks although it may have been used on military muskets when low cost was desired and quality was not a great consideration."
mr. grinslad goes on to state that "examination of existing guns today reveals that frequently gunmakers of that era applied stain and varnish to their stocks. former noted craftsman and researcher John Bivens believed that shiny finishes were popular on furniture at that time because the reflective surfaces made the pieces more attractive by candlelight. He felt that it would be logical to assume that the same finish might also be used on guns. the few surviving guns that have not been cleaned, revarnished or waxed show evidence of old and weathered varnish as the finish, supporting his theory."
Researchers Knight and Mende suggest that after the staining with aqua fortis, "The finish applied over the stained gunstock was probably a varnish obtained by cooking an oil, such as linseed oil, with natural resins." apparently the natural resins might have been juniper gum, or gum mastic.
so the point of this topic is are we way off base in our modern use of BLO? should we be mixing it with natural resins to create a varnish? should we be leaning more for a shiny finish on stocks and is that really a modern thing at all? what do you guys think? that's all i'm saying about this i'm hoping to start a lively debate and learn from your comments.
mr. grinslad goes on to state that "examination of existing guns today reveals that frequently gunmakers of that era applied stain and varnish to their stocks. former noted craftsman and researcher John Bivens believed that shiny finishes were popular on furniture at that time because the reflective surfaces made the pieces more attractive by candlelight. He felt that it would be logical to assume that the same finish might also be used on guns. the few surviving guns that have not been cleaned, revarnished or waxed show evidence of old and weathered varnish as the finish, supporting his theory."
Researchers Knight and Mende suggest that after the staining with aqua fortis, "The finish applied over the stained gunstock was probably a varnish obtained by cooking an oil, such as linseed oil, with natural resins." apparently the natural resins might have been juniper gum, or gum mastic.
so the point of this topic is are we way off base in our modern use of BLO? should we be mixing it with natural resins to create a varnish? should we be leaning more for a shiny finish on stocks and is that really a modern thing at all? what do you guys think? that's all i'm saying about this i'm hoping to start a lively debate and learn from your comments.