Interesting--even the OO grades? The Pigeon Grade 12 I own has almost an ebony look to the wood, both buttstock and forearm, fine even grain. Would it be fair to assume that France and other walnut producing European Countries saw their consumption of fine Bastogne walnut going into rifle stocks, Broomhandled C96 Mausers, and propellors for Spads, Nieports, and Sopwith Camels, instead of Purdey, Boss et al.?? RWTF

"The field is the touchstone of the man"..