70 BULLETIN 909, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



is unsuited for the manufacture of gunstocks by machine process. 

 There is also some waste in " machining " walnut stocks, but this is, 

 for the most part, because of internal defects that are not visible 

 on the surface of the blank. Red gum is a suitable wood for small 

 rifles, but not for long army rifles, on account of its tendency to warp 

 and twist. 



A considerable amount of walnut is used in the manufacture of 

 air rifles, chiefly in Michigan. Manufacturers of air rifles do not 

 require such thick material as is used. for the military rifle. The 

 wooden stock of the air rifle usually consists of a comparatively small 

 piece forming only the butt. (PL XI, fig. 2.) Air-rifle factories 

 can, therefore, utilize fairly low-grade material by cutting out the 

 defects. They generally use No. 1 and No. 2 common grades, 1 inch 

 in thickness. A special grade of " shorts " is sometimes made use 

 of. This grade consists of pieces of good quality, the length of which 

 is less than is allowable in the upper grades. Air-rifle manufacturers 

 can utilize this stock very closely on account of the small sizes used. 

 Several different models are usually made, and the maximum size 

 of the stock is about 3 to 4 inches in width by 14 inches in length in 

 the rough. The dark-colored heartwood of black walnut is well 

 liked for the small rifle, and the makers must either use heartwood 

 entirely or stain the sapwood to match. Black walnut also holds 

 screws well and is, therefore, particularly desirable for the small 

 gun, in which the stock is a very short piece and is attached to the 

 metal part by a few screws. Other woods also, particularly red gum, 

 are used for air rifles and small-cartridge rifles, and are stained to 

 resemble walnut. There is some objection to the gum on account 

 of its warping and because there is a tendency for the screws to be- 

 come loose in it. The cartridge rifle is made from lumber 1^ to 2 

 inches in thickness. A considerable quantity of walnut is used for 

 shotgun butts also (PL XI, fig. 3), for which short pieces and such 

 waste material as veneer cores may be utilized. Much high-grade 

 walnut is used for pistol grips, although the individual revolver 

 requires only a small piece. European walnut (Circassian walnut, 

 which was long ago naturalized in Europe) has been used for gun- 

 stock material in European countries for many years. This is a 

 satisfactory wood, but the lack of a sufficient supply has necessitated 

 a large use of the American walnut in recent years. 



FIXTURES. 



Black walnut is utilized for bank, office, and store fixtures, in 

 which it shows to good advantage in broad panels on account of its 

 attractive color and figure. It is usually employed only for the 

 exterior parts of fixtures and other cabinetwork. It is much used 

 for showcases, for large cabinets in drug stores, for standing desks in 



