Lodgewood defarb musket stock stain

[akroguy]

I'd like to complete a refinish job on my Armi Sport 1861 Springfield. I just can't get over the plasticky, walmart veneer looking finish on this gun! From the pics I've seen on the Lodgewood site of their defarb'd guns, that dark, brown/black reddish/purplish finish really looks good to me against the armory bright metal work. Does anyone have a recipe for a stock stain that might get somewhat close to this finish? I do plan to finish seal and preserve with BLO but need to darken up that probably european walnut...fruitwood or whatever they use.

 

[TDM]

I really like the Dixie Gun Works antique stain. It’s very dark, but can be thinned with alcohol. Another trick of old is to soak a plug of tobacco in alcohol or ammonia. I prefer alcohol. Then finish with a mix of BLO and gum turpentine.

 

[Conquerordie]

I'm pretty sure the originals finish for Springfield's didn't include stain. I've seen Lodgewoods stocks, and was always curious why they are so dark. Look at originals and they turn dark after many years. The "Organ of Muskets" at Springfield Arsenal shows muskets with lighter stocks. That's the color you might want to shoot for. Euro walnut and fruit wood needs experimenting to get the right color. Id try different combos of stain inside the barrel channel until you find the right one.