Parker Reproductions Stock Colors

[BRDHNTR]

What accounts for so much difference in stock color on the many Parker Reproductions by Winchester that I see on line? Some have dark reddish/brown colors and others tend to look more yellow in coloration. What accounts for so much variation on stock color?

[Walt Kowalski]

As I understand it, even the Reproduction guns were manufactured with "graded" wood. For example, I was made aware by a knowing person on this site that my own gun, a 20 gauge, had "grade 4 wood"

[Wild Skies]

I've also heard of the four different qualities or grades of Repro wood used and would like to learn more about them . . .

As for the variation in coloration of Repro wood I believe it has as much to do with the different species of walnut used as anything. Parker Reproduction brochures mentioned that Claro and French (California English) walnut were used--maybe there were more? With Claro you see a lot of color variation from light yellowish brown to very dark reddish brown. Examples can be relatively plain grained to outrageous. Fiddleback, feather crotch, swirling grain, hi-lighting and smoke are commonly seen with Claro. French walnut usually seen on Repros tends to be more conservative in grain pattern than Claro. French walnut typically has black mineral streaking with wood ranging in color from light yellowish brown to medium reddish brown with very little to no fiddle or the outrageous figure usually associated with Claro. French walnut with feather crotch is sometimes encountered with Repro wood, but I wouldn't say that it's common.

Those are my perceptions, hopefully others will add their's.