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June 2, 2014
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Gentlemen,
Have a ’92 SRC .25-20, SN 521331, and am trying to figure-out whether it’s gum wood stocked, or just has walnut w/o much grain. I’m lousy at identify wood types, so can anyone give me some tips on differentiating gum from walnut? Is it any easier to determine looking at the inside of the stock and forearm? Or is it only something an expert can do?
Also interested in any other ways of narrowing the possibilities, but seeing a lot of variation in opinions on such things as age and color. Pirkle doesn’t seem to indicate any particular time period that only gum wood was used, but does mention that it occurred mostly on carbines. I’ve heard that gum came in during WWI due to walnut shortages and since this ’92 was made in 1910 it would predate that. But, another individual did a fairly extensive discussion Guns Intrnl, including that Win had changed to gum near the turn of the century. As for color, Pirkle indicates gum is dark, but I saw some fairly light ones online that were claimed to be gum wood.
Thanks for the help.
March 20, 2009
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Hello,
My guess is that it would take a few thousand words and many assumptions to correctly identify the variations of wood without some photos. So please take a few photos and either post them here or send them to me at [email protected] and I will take a look at them. Please include photos of the upper tang, barrel address, and caliber stamp so that I can add your rifle into my research survey.
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=606355
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 19, 2014
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Hard to tell someone without photos as has been said. In my experience gumwood was used after around 1910. I had a Royal Navy 1894 carbine that left the factory in 1914 that was gum wood. The grain is really straight and light in colour when unstained. With the exception of the rare high condition saddle ring carbine, gum wood stocks are usually a mass of dents. Very soft wood.
March 20, 2010
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Here are some pics of gumwood stocks. The wood is generally softer than walnut, dents and scratches easily. Doesnt take a lot of use before they look well worn and beat-up.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
March 20, 2010
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Here are some gumwood stocks that have been well used (the 38-55 carbine I hunt with). Gumwood is generally a yellower color than most walnuts and they get darker with use, they have a more open wood grain I think and as the pic shows, they scratch and dent easily. Just wear and tear from being in the woods.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
June 2, 2014
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mike webb said
Hard to tell someone without photos as has been said. In my experience gumwood was used after around 1910. I had a Royal Navy 1894 carbine that left the factory in 1914 that was gum wood. The grain is really straight and light in colour when unstained. With the exception of the rare high condition saddle ring carbine, gum wood stocks are usually a mass of dents. Very soft wood.
Realize photos would have been better, but don’t have Facebook and as a guest am unable to post. Helpful to know that gum wood can be lighter color. This one certainly has some dents, but not a tremendous amount. Thanks for your help.
June 2, 2014
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twobit said
Hello,
My guess is that it would take a few thousand words and many assumptions to correctly identify the variations of wood without some photos. So please take a few photos and either post them here or send them to me at [email protected] and I will take a look at them. Please include photos of the upper tang, barrel address, and caliber stamp so that I can add your rifle into my research survey.
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=606355
Michael
Thanks and I will take you up on your email offer, as I’m only a guest, am not on Facebook and can’t, therefore, post here. Will also include the research pictures, too.
Mike
June 2, 2014
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1892takedown said
Here are some pics of gumwood stocks. The wood is generally softer than walnut, dents and scratches easily. Doesnt take a lot of use before they look well worn and beat-up.
Thanks. This is a LOT nicer piece than mine, but does show how light gum can be. Very helpful and appreciated.
June 2, 2014
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1892takedown said
Here are some gumwood stocks that have been well used (the 38-55 carbine I hunt with). Gumwood is generally a yellower color than most walnuts and they get darker with use, they have a more open wood grain I think and as the pic shows, they scratch and dent easily. Just wear and tear from being in the woods.
These photos are great and similar to our carbine. Looks like gum is what we have. Photos are sure the way to go, but I couldn’t get them here w/o Facebook, only being a guest. Really appreciate your help. Mike
March 20, 2009
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Hello Skizzer,
I received your photos and will post them here. Thanks also for the additional ones for my survey. I greatly appreciate it. You should join the WACA and enjoy all the information here. Looks like a gumwood SRC to me.
Thanks again
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
