70 BITLLEIIX 909. U. S. DEPARTMENT: OF AGBICULTUBB. 
is unsuited for the manufacture of gunstocks by macliiiie 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. Eed 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 Xo. 1 and Xo. 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 -i 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 Ij to 2 
inches in thickness. A considerable quantity of walnut is used for 
shotgun butts also (PL XL 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 
