Wood Identification?

[spitfire_er]

I have this rifle I built a few years ago and I got the stock used from England. I never did find out what type of wood it was but after cleaning it up and refinishing, it is some really nice looking stuff. I'm getting ready to sell this rifle and I was going to see if anyone had any good guesses as to what the wood might be.

I was thinking it was maybe some sort of walnut, but I'm not expert when it comes to wood types.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Acme7]

Looks a lot like Aphromosia. a tropical hardwood that is dense and heavy. fairly stable with interlocking grain. But not a 100% sure. PM me your e-mail and i will send you a couple pictures of some i have used. Jeff

 

[okedoke]

looks more like koa or mirtyle wood of which i used a-lot of while attending school at C.S.T. back in 1972---1974 have a good one

 

[butchlambert]

Nice old Mod 1917 Enfield.

 

[hogpatrol]

It's dogwood. You can tell by the bark. ;D

 

[captkaos]

It's dogwood. You can tell by the bark. ;D

;D

 

[spclark]

My guess is one of the satinwoods:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satinwood

http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/sorting-out-satinwoods/

- but as to which one? That'd mean having it in my hands for a closer look, maybe a 'sniff' test. Some of the satinwoods have a characteristic odor so maybe if the end grain under the butt plate's unfinished you can take a knife & scrape slightly down to fresh wood then see if there's an odor like camphor.

 

[jonbearman]

It kinda looks like teak as well.

 

[Redrover]

I agree with Jeff (Acme7) that the wood in question is probably afrormosia.

Some years ago I made a couple of stocks from this timber. It was bought from a reputable timber yard, and I have no doubt that it was correctly classified. It looked VERY similar to the wood in the O P's stock when newly finished, but it has darkened considerably over the years. (which is normal for this wood)

The two photos appended were taken a year or two after each stock was finished, and some darkening had already occurred. Not great photos, unfortunately - being squashed down to less than 164kb in size has done nothing for image quality - but the similarity to the O P's stock is still obvious.

 

[spclark]

It kinda looks like teak as well.

African teak is a common name for the afromosia others have suggested. Like true teak it darkens some with age & exposure to light where satinwood tends to stay lighter. Afromosia's easier to come by being a popular choice in the boatbuilding industry.

 

[JRS]

I looked through my stash of veneers, and can honestly say, it appears to be either satinwood or canary.

Looking a little closer, I would be willing to bet it is canary wood

 

[spclark]

Looking a little closer, I would be willing to bet it is canary wood

That's a new one to me but a real possibility after I read up on it. The tone & color range is right. Guess a sniff test is indicated! Canarywood's supposed to have a distinct odor where satinwood's is faint when worked.

That it's an Enfield you got from England though makes me lean towards satinwood, its full common name is East Indian Satinwood as that's the only place it grows. Canarywood comes from Central & South America....

 

[JRS]

The risers, cores, limbs, and veneers on my longbows and recurves are made from exotic woods from all over the world, and I live in the US. I understand what you are saying, but, because it is an enfield, and was purchased in England, really means nothing. The stock is obviously a custom piece. Canary wood is readily available, and easily obtainable.

That particular piece in the photos appears to me to be a piece from Africa. I say that due to the grain pattern and color.

 

[butchlambert]

Looking a little closer, I would be willing to bet it is canary wood

That's a new one to me but a real possibility after I read up on it. The tone & color range is right. Guess a sniff test is indicated! Canarywood's supposed to have a distinct odor where satinwood's is faint when worked.

That it's an Enfield you got from England though makes me lean towards satinwood, its full common name is East Indian Satinwood as that's the only place it grows. Canarywood comes from Central & South America....

I believe he said the wood came from England. The Mod 1917 Enfield receiver looks to be a Remington. Probably came from here.

 

[JRS]

Looking a little closer, I would be willing to bet it is canary wood

That's a new one to me but a real possibility after I read up on it. The tone & color range is right. Guess a sniff test is indicated! Canarywood's supposed to have a distinct odor where satinwood's is faint when worked.

That it's an Enfield you got from England though makes me lean towards satinwood, its full common name is East Indian Satinwood as that's the only place it grows. Canarywood comes from Central & South America....

Yes Butch, he did. There are as many exotic wood suppliers in England, as there is in the US. The Yew I use for limbs and veneers came from England. Actually Butch, England has access to a number of exotic woods that have been banned in the US from importation. It wasn't long ago, that a huge supply, worth a tremendous amount of money, was confiscated from Gibson guitars by the US Government.

I believe he said the wood came from England. The Mod 1917 Enfield receiver looks to be a Remington. Probably came from here.

 

[butchlambert]

JRS,
We have a Hall of Fame BR shooter that loves and shoots longbows. He has some pretty nice ones. Pat Byrne

An unlucky jackrabbit

Meat for the freezer

A medium size hog

Another hog.

I will quit hijacking this thread. I do like the Enfield. I have a couple and thet are indestructible.
If we had a bow forum I would picture more on my own thread. Sorry for getting off track.

 

[JRS]

Thanks for the pics Butch. Can't make out the others, but, the first pic looks like a Howard Hill bow 8)

 

[butchlambert]

JRS,You have a PM. If you PM your email address I can send Pat's stories with his Pics.

I am trying to reach a buddy that is heavy into wood to see if he could give a definitive answer.

 

[JRS]

Thank you Butch!
I'll check my messages. I truly believe the stock is the African variety of canary wood. It has a distinct grain and color.

Got it Butch. PM on it's way.

 

[spitfire_er]

Thanks for all the input so far.

Been really busy the past couple weeks.

As for the stock, yes, only the stock came from England. I did the metal work. The stock was originally set up for a Pattern 1914, and a M1917 I had just happened to fit into it pretty good. The stock was in really tough shape when I got it and looked as though someone sanded it with 60 grit and threw a coat of shellac on it. all of the edges were rounded off.

What you see in the photos is after I got done with it. I cleaned up all the lines to make them crisp and changed a few nothing fancy, but it turned out quite a bit nicer than I thought it ever would!

As for the long bows, I just got back into that game after being away for 10+ years!

Suppose I shouldn't just show bits and pieces so here's the whole thing!