What Stain?

[Griff]

Ok, one of the Marlin's I'm refinishing (this one is for a fellow CAS shooter), is ready for stain. What stain wil be a match (or indistinguishable) from a Marlin 1894?

[pokey]

black walnut ?

[Griff]

black walnut ?

The wood is walnut. But whether it is black walnut or not, I don't know exactly how to tell. And that would be a bit too dark from what I've seen... not red enough.

[DougB]

I used Early American on one project and was very happy with it. Keep in mind colors will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[TedH]

I used some Mahogany stain before that was a pretty good match.

[Pete44ru]

Since newer (black) Walunt stock wood's color is less consistant throughout the stock, especially between forend & buttstock, than older (ca.1900's) walnut - I ALWAYS stain the stocks (yes, even "black" walnut) with a mixture of Minwax stain/sealer - 40% Red Mahogany/60% Black Walnut - to give the wood an even, slightly reddish tone.

BTW - The stained stock is appreciable darker prior to the application of the finish (because the unoiled wood doesn't reflect any light), and the final color should not be judged before then.
I use multiple coats of Tru-Oil, each coat fingertip rubbed to a dry squeak & then hung & left to dry overnite between coats.

.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I use Herters French red from Brownells.

[765x53]

If the wood is walnut, use Birchwood Casey's walnut toned wood filler and, no further stain is necessary.
Most walnut does need to be filled.

[Griff]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have a spare forend that I can practice on now that I've got a starting point.

[Sixgun]

Griff,
Beings it not a $5,000 collector gun, I like to use the military stock stain with a tint of red. It helps to cover up any marks but does not make it too dark. Its alcohol based and goes on easy and dries fast. It covers on wood that won't take an oil based stain, like birch. Couple of coats of Tru-Oil and that baby is ready to rock 'n roll.-----------Sixgun