Many Thanks. Looking at the hundreds of pictures of the 71, 71/84 and the carbines that show up on here and on auctions there appears to be quite a variation in color and in grain. From very light almost amber to a dark walnut. Of course who knows what patina they have picked up over the years and what has been refinished. I did notice that the WW1 98s seem to be very uniform in color. I have not really taken much notice of the variations in the 71s but suddenly wondered if there was a different wood used by the various companies that maybe was based upon location and lumber in that region. Probably time for me to keep a notepad handy when I am surfing the web. So far the only thing that sticks out in my mind is that the Spandau's seem to be usually dark wood and the Ambergs seem to be light wood. Probably a bunch of useless information but who knows.
Thanks Mauser. Very Nice line up by the way. More I look at the Carbine I am working on the wood looks like beech if I compare with pictures of beech on line. Oak came pretty close in some parts of the grain but not a match. Then again that would be old growth trees versus new lumber as well. Of course if I can find a scrap sporterized stock from that era that would be a source of matching donor wood……...
You are probably right. I think I am thinking more in terms of the figuring that most walnut seems to have. Time to track down a local specialist hardwood store and do some comparisons. Meantime I am indeed learning some wood shaping skills LOL