Staining Curly Maple Gun Stock With Iron Nitrate

This video shows how to apply and blush iron nitrate which is traditionally used on curly maple gun stocks

[@akroguy]

This is the technique I used on a Kibler Colonial, a Lancaster build and will use it again on a Woodsrunner. The only thing I change is I add some drops of Laurel Mountain cherry stain to the oil/turpentine mix. It gives it a really deep, lush almost blood red finish. Against browned or fire blued steel, it's really beautiful. Thanks to Jim Kibler for making such fantastic kits and for providing such wisdom on tips and techniques to build them!

[@joemummerth8340]

looks good , pretty much the same method I use , only thing I do different , is I dont use a scotch brite pad , I use 0000 steel wool , and apply about four coats of oil over a few days , and finish it off with a good paste wax !

[@michaeledlin9995]

How would that do on birdseye

[@mikemoore9757]

I saw a video years ago called "The Gunsmiths of Williamsburg". I think they used a similar procedure except in the 1700's they used a hot steel bar to transform the acid soaked wood into color. Your gun stock is a thing of beauty. When you marry it to some blue steel it will be a treasure. Please keep this craft alive for people who appreciate fine workmanship and beauty.

[@ddaytona1]

Jim, what would you think the results would be using iron nitrate on a birch stock? Would the result be anything similar to the bringing out the lines on a maple stock?

[@wondervistastudios2388]

That’s a beautiful piece of wood! If that’s a throw away...

[@L2FlyMN]

How was this method of staining discovered?

[@homemadehistory7537]

Realy nice. I like the figure of the curly maple a lot. On my rifle I used cherry and on the current build of a kentucky pistol it is walnut. Your videos are all nice because of the good explanation. I am far from your skill but maybe you like to see my builds too. It will be nice to have more frequent videos from you.

[@Andluth]

Is that color in the TruOil? My oil is clear.

[@sld2155]

Do you do the whole stock at once, or in sections?

[@terryqueen3233]

That piece of wood also turned out pretty nice. When you were talking about changing the color a little bit I was thinking about de-bone black around a handle and a little bit up where it carried most of the time but I'm glad you brought that up because I was already thinking about it.

[@masgrey9608]

Pure astonishment here watching your video. I have never completed a kit, but now want to try one of yours, based on your videos! Amazing product!

[@oldschooljack3479]

Thank you for the videos Jim. I haven't worked up the nerve to attempt a rifle build yet. But your instructions bolster my confidence enough that I may try it soon.

[@endrukinsboro9570]

A wonderful video of how the mesmerized man admired the transformation. I myself make samples from walnut, ash, pear, mulberry, and now I'm excited to make maple. The pear also has such a pattern, but it is less contrasting.

[@chokkan7]

What a wonderful tutorial; thank you for the time and effort which went into this.

[@doc3356]

Jim, thanks for the great videos!! They are really helping us new guys!!

[@kurzhaarguy]

That's a beautiful job, Jim. I've got a bunch of old, northern maple that needs to see a saw.

[@michaelficarro2591]

I just ordered an SMR today, one of the ones he had as a "quick ship". I emailed with my caliber request and had a question and got an answer in 5 minutes...Awesome!!

[@rodofiron5957]

Incredible finish. I’ve always wondered how this was possible, thank you!

[@rider-uj2kr]

Thank you for these assembly videos. Very helpful.