Shotgun Stocks
Walnut is exclusively used for gunstocks, and the several grades are termed plain American walnut, fine American walnut, English walnut, selected English walnut, fine English walnut, Italian walnut, and Circassian walnut. The plain American walnut is simply a common quality of black walnut, oiled and varnished, and fitted on the cheaper guns. Fine American walnut is of better quality, darker in color, and of better grain. It is strong and durable, and when well oiled and polished by hand, it makes a neat stock for the inexpensive gun. The selected English walnut is of good color and with good grain. When oiled and hand-polished it makes an attractive stock for the knockabout gun. Fine English walnut is usually fitted to guns selling at a higher price, and is generally made to order. Italian walnut is a dark wood with a fine grain and is usually supplied to order on the finest guns. Circassian walnut is the finest wood obtainable, of a rich dark color and a fine curly grain. It is therefore expensive and only finished to order and fitted to the most expensive guns.