Classification of Gunstocks

SCHAFTHOLZKLASSEN

Classification of Gunstocks

The fundamental description of Turkish/ Circassian Walnut to integer in different qualities, lies in the COLOR. This COLOR in its pleasant kind, shows itself in dark lines on a lighter background.

The MOVEMENT, or the expression of life, the activity or excitement, all these impressions give further bases for grading the gunstock blank.

For the maximum grading and classification of the walnut gunstock blanks there must be a pleasant balance between STRUCTURE, COLOR, CONTRAST and MOVEMENT
…And such pieces are very rare in fact.

The grain of the wood determines the strength, and the grain should flow through the wrist of the stock and out the toe; having the grain perpendicular to these areas weakens the stock considerably.

While there is no standardized grading for beauty in fine woods, the following criteria should assist you in understanding the types of products available.

Grade 1

Schaftholzkasse 1

Grade 2

Schaftholzklasse 2

Grade 3

Schaftholzklasse 3

Grade 4

Schaftholzklasse 4

Grade 5

Schaftholzklasse 5

Grade 6

Schaftholzklasse 6

Grade 7

Schaftholzklasse 7

Grade 8

Schaftholzklasse 8

Grade 9

Schaftholzklasse 9

Grade 10

Schaftholzklasse 10

Grade 11

Schaftholzklasse 11

All gunstocks shown are only examples for the quality of our grades. Wood is a product of nature. Differences in color, grain, movement and wood structure within the quality grades are changeable.

In addition to the type of wood, how it is treated can have a significant impact on its properties. Wood for gunstocks should be slowly dried, to prevent grain collapse and splitting, and also to preserve the natural color of the wood; custom stockmakers will buy blanks that have been dried two to three years and then dry it for several additional years before working it into a stock. Careful selection can yield distinctive and attractive features, such as crotch figure, feathering, fiddleback, and burl, which can significantly add to the desirability of a stock. While a basic, straight grained blank suitable for a utilitarian stock might sell for US$10, an special grade blank with superb figure could price in the range of US$3000.–. Blanks for one piece stocks are more expensive than blanks for two piece stocks, due to the greater difficulty in finding the longer blanks with desirable figure. Two piece stocks are ideally made from a single blank, so that the wood in both parts shows similar color and figure.