Reproduction wood
 

I was reading in the Parker Pages that two types of Walnut were used in the Reproductions, Claro and French. It seems through my casual observations that the D grade guns were stocked with the Claro Walnut, and the higher grades with the French Walnut. Was this the actual case, or was the stocking wood type randomly done? Thanks, Steve

Repro wood compared
DHE 20

The DHE stock looks typically like claro while the A1S stock looks like American black walnut… to me anyhow.





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I cannot recall ever seeing a Steel Shot Special or an A-1 Special stocked in anything other than California English walnut, but seeing Bob's A-1 Special above has got me rethinking my recollection.

I have a confession! I posted the wrong A1S. That one is real.
Bob Jurewicz

I could not find pics of the A1S stock, so, here is a B grade.
Bob Jurewicz

Here is a pic of an A1S I pirated off GB years ago.
Bob Jurewicz

Claro or French Walnut?

Claro IMO Steve.





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D grades seem to go either way.

Okay, now I am curious. My 20ga repro has dynamite wood. What is this?

Juglans nigra.

And crotch grain too!





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crotch grain? I guess i need an education on wood patterns.

Feathered crotch, claro walnut

“Crotch grain” is cut from the crotch of a walnut (or any species) where the trunk and a large limb meet. The tree develops this special grain for strength where the stress of the weight of the limb would otherwise be a weak point.





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Id call that 'Feather Crotch'. F'n beautiful too.

It very well could be Claro. I simply thought it appears more like American Black walnut because of it being, IMO, a little darker and a little redder than what is typically seen with Claro examples. Admittedly, it's difficult to identfy the species because they can be so similar in appearance. It is a beautiful piece of wood that anyone would be proud to own. It would be a treat to see the other side as well.

Not accounting for taste, I don’t know how you can have a more beautiful piece of wood on any gun. Some of the wood on repros I’ve seen would be suitable for any gun, anywhere, anytime. IMHO.

More of the same on the other side. This repro also has a proper mullered border, oiled finish, and bone charcoal colors. Someone put some work into it. Might be worth mentioning it is a D grade.

It started life as an NSFL 2 barrel set, I still have both sets.