Todd did a wonderful job, Bob. I do appreciate the stain on the maple stock. Left blonde and oiled just doesn't turn my crank, but when stained to bring out the striped figure, they are special indeed.

My brother and a bunch of other longrifle makers are using Aqua-fortis (nitric sollution) then flaming it to bring out the figure. It is a stain that goes deep and will not 'wear' or leach as most do. Over the years, Taylor has used just about all of the good stains, but has now settled on Aqua-fortis as being about the best.