nice job Mike .
the thing with AQF is that what it does depends so much on the wood itself .
i also think that today to many folks have come to the opinion that it was the only thing used . When in fact it was not .
A book that I would highly recommend and IMO is a must for any builder, gunsmith or person interested in research , would be
Gunstock: Finish and care By A. Donald Newell
I believ this was first printed around 1900 . But my copy states a copy write of 1949
It covers everything from woods to oils finishes , you name it .
It also covers stains , dye’s , fillers , oils and the characteristics of each . Some 470 pages of info
Under water stains----aniline and coal tar dyes he writes the following formulas
YELLOW
Tartrazine Conc
Mentanil Yellow Conc
ORANGE
Orange II Conc
Chrysoidine GN
ORANGE BROWN
Resorcin brown 5G conc 200%
BROWN
Resorcin brown 3R 100%
RED
Scarlet NS conc
Potacyl Carmine 2G con. 150%
Potacyl rubine exstra conc.125%
BLUE
Pontacyl Fast Violet 10B conc. 175%
Anthraquinone Blue swf conc.150%
Pontamine fast Turquoise conc.150 5
Green
Naphthol Green B exstra Conc. 125%
BLACK
Pontacyl Blue Black SX
Nigrosine wsb conc,Powder
Pontamine black E double
There are over 100 pages on stains and dyes alone .
Here is what he says for a black stock stain under the section titled
EARLY GUNSTOCK FINISHES .
For black he lists
Logwood = ½ pound
Water = 3 pints
Cream of tarter =½ ounce
Steep the logwood in water(boiling) untell the water is a dark red color . then add cream of tarter. Apply the hot solution to the wood and let dry. Repeat . Then set the stock aside to dry. Now boil 1 pound of logwood in a gallon of water and add a pint of vinegar. Apply hot to the already stained wood with a brush. When dry , rub off all the loose mater
BROWN STAIN #7
Potassium permanganate===2 grams
Water == 2 pints
Heat water until the permanganate is dissolved . While hot brush the solution over the stock and allow to dry. If the color is not yet deep enough apply another coat . this stain will suited for coloring maple brown
BROWN STAIN #8
Nitric acid 9S.G.I.42) ===1 ½ oz
Iron Filings ===1 ½ oz
Heat the acid until the filings are dissolved.
Rub this solution on the wood with a rag (Take care that you do not get any on you hands) .Allow to dry. If not deep enough, repeat.
Anyway , very valuable book , chalked full of old gun finish formulas and knowledge