Original finish on a Potsdam?

[kotkinjs1]

Hello all,
Have a question on a Potsdam musket, I think a converted Model 1809 (dated 1830). I bought it fairly cheap because the wood's been stripped. Question is, what was the original military finish on these? I think it's European beechwood? All the Potsdam photos I've seen run the spectrum of shades from light beige to golden to to dark walnut colored. I imagine I need to get something on it before I start applying the BLO? Other than the stock issue I just need to get sling swivels and a lockplate retainer screw

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[UCVRelics]

Nice One. Most of the ones I have seen in person had the dark finish. Lets see what our gun guru say's paging @johan_steele

 

[JOHN42768]

Nice, now your hunt begins for the swivel and screw

 

[Craig L Barry]

The muskets like this one which I have seen all have had darker finishes, but then 150+ years of dirt and grime will darken most hard woods.

 

[johan_steele]

My original is a cut down and has a blond wood as well. Original wood finish would have been boiled linseed oil.

 

[kotkinjs1]

My original is a cut down and has a blond wood as well. Original wood finish would have been boiled linseed oil.

So just BLO straight on the stripped wood?

 

[frontrank2]

This is my Potsdam musket. It's a smoothbore and I shoot it in N-SSA competition. Not a bad shooter BTW. For those missing parts check these guys out: http://therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/german_arms/(777)_1809.htm

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Here are photos of a couple of mine - a few were stocked with walnut, but mostly light beech. I think both of these are untouched and not refinished or cleaned in recent times. The light one is how most look.

 

[kotkinjs1]

Those are all beautiful pieces. Thanks guys.
So maybe a coat of Tung Oil before the BLO to darken it a tad? The wood on mine is completely raw and wouldn't only the BLO turn out a super light shade when finished?

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Looking at these more closely, I think the second one shown above is stocked in Walnut, and not Beech. Here is a third one of mine which has the light beech and I again think this has not been refinshed or cleaned.

 

[johan_steele]

So just BLO straight on the stripped wood?

Just enough blo to fill your hand apply then wipe off excess. If there is none to wipe off apply again the next day. Once you have some to wipe away once a week for a month then once a month for a year.

 

[lite2bolt]

Where would someone be able to get some European beechwood. I need some to make a forearm from the lower barrel band forward. and on another the wood behind the lock had severe burn out from when it was a flintlock. I had someone said it was a common thing for the wood behind the bolster to get burnt badly, then it would fall away.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

Do you think American Beech wood is that much different from European?

 

[rob63]

I have no idea whether the differences in beech would make a difference or not, but the following link is for a guy in Europe that makes military rifle gun stocks and could presumably be a source for wood.

PPHU Fox - Wooden stocks

fox-military.com

This is likely too late for the OP, but if you are trying to match a wood color you should apply the first coat of BLO, and while it is still wet, then apply an oil-based stain. The stain will still penetrate the wet BLO and it is much easier to match the color you want if you are working with a wet stock because the stain doesn't penetrate as quickly.

 

[Jeff in Ohio]

I have no idea whether the differences in beech would make a difference or not, but the following link is for a guy in Europe that makes military rifle gun stocks and could presumably be a source for wood.

PPHU Fox - Wooden stocks

fox-military.com

This is likely too late for the OP, but if you are trying to match a wood color you should apply the first coat of BLO, and while it is still wet, then apply an oil-based stain. The stain will still penetrate the wet BLO and it is much easier to match the color you want if you are working with a wet stock because the stain doesn't penetrate as quickly.

Good tip - I've never tried this.