In a series of articles published in The English sporting press during the 1980's Mr Gordon Walker, known in the trade as "Mr;Walnut", reviewed the process of gunstock blank production both in the U.K. and France. Here are are some of his observations:
1/Both in France and England the trees are dug-up[taken down].Following removal from the ground. The roots are cut off at the point that they join the trunk.This lower section of the tree is where best colour and grain is likely to be found.
2/ The best blanks are found in slow growth trees over 200 years old; provide that they have a good girth.
3/Trees that are suitable for making veneers should not be used for gun stocks.[ie: A veneer tree will have greater value.]
4 There is no guarantee as to the quality of blanks in terms of colour and grain from any given tree. This can only be determined after the stock blanks have been sawn.
As a point of interest; English Walnut[Juglans Regia]was planted by many English land owners at the time of the Napoleonic wars. This was due to a serious concern regarding future availability of French walnut for gunstock and furniture production.Following the second world war most country magazines carried ads offering significant sums of money for large veneer trees.I doubt that many are left outside of the great houses/estates of England.
Last edited by Roy Hebbes; 07/23/10 02:15 PM.
