Brown Bess Kit

[Alpenjager]

I bought a Pedersoli Brown Bess kit and have a couple of questions on how to finish the stock. What is the best stain and finish to use on the stock? I am looking at using Laurel Mountain Forge’s Walnut stain and Permalyn Sealer and finish or would a Birchwood/Casey walnut stain and tru-oil be fine? Any suggestions or comments would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks
Mark

 

[mikee51848]

I used the walnut stain and then rubbed in boiled linseed oil. Also, on mine, I had to file out the ramrod tailpipe for a smooth fit.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I would imagine the original finish was some kind of hard varnish. I've not found B & C finish to be very durable , although I used it for years. I now use the finish sold by jim Chambers and am pretty satisfied with it.
That walnut stain is a good idea in my opinion.

 

[CrackStock]

Isn't this a walnut stock?

Why not oil and forget?

CS

 

[Swampman]

I don't think they are walnut. They look better dark but most originals seem redish to me. English walnut seems to be fairly red.

 

[Alpenjager]

Thanks all for your replies.

I don't think they are walnut. They look better dark but most originals seem redish to me. English walnut seems to be fairly red.

I agree most of the original ones I have seen in Williamsburg have been reddish in color. I would like to get a stain to emulate an original. However, I’m stumped on the type of stain to use.

 

[Swampman]

I'm gonna use "Dangler's Stock Stain Dark Brown" on my Bess and my British Officer's Musket. I'll probably use Minwax Satin Finish Tung Oil to seal them. After years of using linseed oil, I've given up on it. It's possible to get a nice finish with linseed oil, I just don't think it's right for these muskets and it takes too long to dry. Sun light will make it dry faster.

 

[Swampman]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=39960545

I bought this one. I paid too much, but I wanted it and could afford it.

I'm gonna refinish the wood and remove the farby barrel markings. I wonder how old it is? I'm guessing at least 15 years.

 

[mikee51848]

Right, it is walnut, but I remember them saying it's a European variety of walnut. I still used a stain, but you can try just boiled linseed oil.

 

[LSU TIGER]

The original finish was probably beeswax and turpintine.

 

[Swampman]

Varnish was the most common finish on muskets unless I'm mistaken.

 

[Swampman]

http://www.angelfire.com/vt/milsurp/slbess.html

Here's an original. Notice the sight groove in the tang?? OEM or added later? Pretty dark reddish color :winking:

 

[Alpenjager]

Thanks Swampman for the Link, it helps me out a lot.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Swampman]

I finally got the Jap Bess I bought tonight. It appeares to be unfired. The trigger pull is light and smooth. The lock was fit to the barrel perfectly, well tuned, and it sparks like crazy. I need to remove the farby markings and some extra wood along the barrel. This is gonna be an excellent woods gun.

 

[Swampman]

I spent several hours removing excess wood along the barrel and reshaping my musket today. It looks really good. I put some Dangler's Dark Brown Stain on it so I could see if I need to do some more sanding. One of the barrel lugs wasn't attached to the barrel and I'm gonna find someone to solder that back on. This is the second musket I've dissasembled that had a lug loose. One had 2 loose lugs. You might want to check yours.