Maple Stock?

Kismet · Post by **Kismet** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:51 pm

My brother in-law has a wood shop in Maine where he has access to beautiful bird's eye maple. I know that stocks are traditionally walnut, but is there any reason I couldn't find a nice piece of maple and make a new stock for my BLR? I figure it could be a fun project to just get a piece and start working it.

Any thoughts, tricks, tips?

Thanks, Michael in NH

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:54 pm

Maple is actually a much better stock wood than walnut. Most original muzzleloaders, and most good reproduction muzzleloaders are stocked in maple.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:59 pm

Remington actually put out a Model 700 with a maple stock.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:02 pm

Curly maple would be a real nice stock for the BLR.

86er · Post by **86er** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:10 pm

Here is a custom stocked 870 slug gun in Birdseye Maple that I made for the customer pictured. I liked it so much I have a matching one on my own 870. You should try one for the BLR is you can.

Bigahh · Post by **Bigahh** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:27 pm

The light color gives it a nice twist also. Does anyone know who will make a stock for a BLR ?

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:40 pm

I love Maple!!

The above blank will make a nice stock for one of my levers!!

Post by **Hobie** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:40 pm

Try Treebone Carving

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:14 pm

I once picked up a 1903 Springfield from a gunshop for a song, that no one wanted because it had been custom stocked in a light blond curly maple, and finished without the finish shaping being done. It had at least one birthday, on that shop's rack.

It still had all the extra wood, in all the right places, so I detail shaped it, changed a few angles & ditched the Monte Carlo comb - then stained it with a dark stain, before finishing with a satin Tru-Oil.
Boy - Did it ever become an eye popper ! Most observers couldn't believe it was Maple.

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:29 pm

I really like maple, beautiful wood and darn hard.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:37 am

you should save all the curly maple for violins.

I have a piece at home that I used to make a banjo, I've still got a pretty big piece if my mother hasn't thrown it out. My brother-in-law used a piece to make a gun forearm.

Great stuff. It's very hard, I often got smoking drill bits and such. It also can warp and cracks can open up if it's not well seasoned.

jbm1968 · Post by **jbm1968** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:57 am

Do it, Maple makes a GREAT looking stock. I am shopping online for my welcome home gift of a high end flintlock with a maple stock!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:33 pm

If you can read thought the Foxfire Book I think it's #5, that deals with flintlock rifle makin. They give you a pretty good detailed account on how the old time gunsmiths finished maple gunstocks.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:41 pm

If I had a choice Hawaiian Koa would be first but a tiger-stripe maple would be a close second with walnut 3rd.

JB · Post by JB » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:34 pm

I had a Remington factory maple stocked 541 once. It had a very nice looking stock.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:58 am

Chuck 100 yd, that is BEAUTIFUL

blackhawk44 · Post by **blackhawk44** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:55 am

Not a thing wrong with maple, its just been "out of style". Back in the late '50's into the early '70's, maple was THE stock wood, especially for the California/Weatherby, rollover cheek piece styles.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:09 pm

Some of the early Colt Lightnings and turn-of-the-century Winchesters were special ordered with maple. I have seen 'em and while beautiful, well, the old saying holds true--"beauty is in the eye of the beholder". If you like it, why care what others may think---go for it--------Sixgun

88 man · Post by **88 man** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:23 pm

Most gun stock makers have a pattered stock and will take your pc of wood and make you a new stock that still needs some final fitting.Just email the maker and I know you'll get the stock & forend made.I've been told this many times but just never found the right pc of wood.
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