Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Seeking Input on French Walnut/ Grade

I’m seeking some input and/or expertise regarding French Walnut, namely grain pattern. Winchester classifies the Super Grade dressed in French Walnut as AAA. In the pictures, what type wood or (grade) would any grade this pattern?

Beautiful. That's all the "grade" I need.

This is extraordinarily subjective. Beauty will forever remain in the eye of the beholder. If you have photos of the rest of the rifle, it would help.

I like straight grain stocks and yours is nicely figured but far from AAA grade. I would call it AA grade at best.

I did find this online:
Walnut Grades
By Ken Smith – Modified 5/16/07
(*New Grading Terms)

The N.H.L.A. (National Hardwood Lumber Association) sets the standards for grading Walnut and other hardwood species. However, they do not grade for figure at all. This is subjective depending upon who you ask. These are the basic standards that we set for Smith Basses for Instrument Grade Black Walnut.

Grade 1 (A) *Plain
Plain unfigured tops and may have small pin knots. Also used for core sets and veneers.

Grade 2 (AA) *Low Figured
Clear and free from all knots and may have an attractive grain pattern occasionally with a ‘spot’ of figure in areas.

Grade 3 (AAA) *Medium Figured
“Crotch Walnut” or marbled Grain occasionally with figure in spots or lightly flamed straight grain with or without presence of the crotch.

Grade 4 (Premium AAAA) *Highly Figured
Handsome figure throughout most of the top. Possibilities include: Flame, Crisscross, Marbled, Crotch, etc.

Grade 5 “Elite Grade” (Exhibition AAAAA) *Extreme Figure
Very Highly figured Exhibition 1-of-a-kind tops. Includes Feather Crotch, Crisscross, Marbled, etc.

NOTE: Exhibition Grade figure stands out better with our catalyzed lacquer Elite Series finis

This would bug me.

I may agree with you (AA). Winchester states AAA. Should I make a complaint. Here is a photo of what may be stuttering, not sure. What do you think?

I do not see what you're referring to. The image is somewhat blurred. Did you crop the photo I uploaded?

Do you mean where the White Arrow is?

Yes, and yes.

Would that be inclusive of the complaint as well?

See the difference?

My take, and my take only; you are looking for perfection in a factory rifle. The level of wood and perfection you seek may or may not be available. If you increase your budget somewhat, you may find some things more acceptable to your discriminating desires.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...l-70-270-winchester.cfm?gun_id=101995368

Sure. I think you should complain to Winchester about both of those issues. I would be interested to hear their reply.

That's pretty sweet.

* I specifically stated 'Stuttering' when in fact it's "Sputtering", yet you made no mention of that. Why is that?

If I were selling the rifle I would describe it a "AA Grade". "AAA" is optimistic, but it is still a nice handle.

This Prussian/Daly has what I would call borderline "AAA" French that they used at this period.


Not a good photo but the French wood on this medium-high grade early pre-war Sauer set is "AA-AAA" borderline...close grain with some fiddleback.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...l-70-270-winchester.cfm?gun_id=101995368[/quote]

* Sorry, don't like it at all.

Because I am still wondering if I am teaching an AI algorithm new tricks.

No question that I agree with you. However, Winchester states AAA Wood. What do you believe their response to the aforesaid issue would be? That could be construed as false advertisement and misrepresentation. Would you keep it or opt for another stock? I really hate to go through the aggravation, even though I have paralegal experience. Thank you very much for the support.

To the best of my knowledge there are no standards for stock wood grading - one mans AAA is another mans AA, its all subjective.

It is like a beautiful woman, what makes one beautiful to one person many leave another person cold. But with stock woods and women I know what I like when I see it regardless of grade or someone elses opinion.

If you didn't look it over good and notice these "defects" beforehand then shame on you. If you have bought it and don't like it then IMO you should not have purchased in the first place.

If you haven't purchased it yet then don't - problem solved.

drover