First buy of 2021! A very interesting Crosman 350

[unionrdr]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood? I brought out such opaline markings on the stocks on my 760 Powermaster variant one. They could be seen faintly through the spray stains the factory used back then. My staining and B/C Tru-Oil brought them out more. Not sure it's Elm, like the stock on the 160 Pellgun variant one I restomodded? Here's some pics to judge for yourselves. They seem to be a rarity with those purty flames/Tiger stripes?
  760V1;



  160 Pellgun variant one with Elm stock;

[45flint]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood? I brought out such opaline markings on the stocks on my 760 Powermaster variant one. They could be seen faintly through the spray stains the factory used back then. My staining and B/C Tru-Oil brought them out more. Not sure it's Elm, like the stock on the 160 Pellgun variant one I restomodded? Here's some pics to judge for yourselves. They seem to be a rarity with those purty flames/Tiger stripes?
  760V1;



  160 Pellgun variant one with Elm stock;

The 760 looks like maple?

[Air Head]

Looks like Curly (tiger stripe) Maple to me. Stained dark. Beautiful wood!

[TerryM]

  Interesting piece, I had one of those as a kid, hauled it around everywhere.

  This figuring would not be common to a particular "batch" or "shipment" of wood.  More random than that, only from a particular cut on a particular tree.  That's part of what makes it special.

[unionrdr]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood? I brought out such opaline markings on the stocks on my 760 Powermaster variant one. They could be seen faintly through the spray stains the factory used back then. My staining and B/C Tru-Oil brought them out more. Not sure it's Elm, like the stock on the 160 Pellgun variant one I restomodded? Here's some pics to judge for yourselves. They seem to be a rarity with those purty flames/Tiger stripes?
  760V1;



  160 Pellgun variant one with Elm stock;

The 760 looks like maple?

  Could be? The grain looks that way? Rifle was built 6/70 as a variant one. I refinished the butt stock with Minwax #224 Special Walnut. Matched the factory stain real nice! But the figuring can even be seen in the wood!

[Vee3]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood?

I was told (but don't know if it's true) that fiddleback and similar figure in wood is mostly due to the weight of the tree's trunk. Over time, it compresses what was originally straight grain into a wavy pattern.

[45flint]

Finally came in after a long 2 weeks!  USPS is not the quickest any more for sure.  Rifle was a little better than I had hoped.  Wood is as curly as you could hope but the metal is equally nice.  Not shot much at all barrel hasn’t lost any bluing?  Love that early sight often broken off.  Looked at the wood and it not elm but maple.  That makes total sense as maple can be this curly.  I’m assuming it’s a early production gun but need to look at examples.  Thought they were all elm. The curl is very difficult to photograph well, but it really does have a 3D effect.  It is missing the rear sight ramp, if anyone has one to sell?

Here are a bunch of pics:

[45flint]

After looking at others I would say my V-350 was at the end of the run. They ended in 1969.  It was the newer stock profile and the tube cap where the barrel enters is not cone shaped like the early ones.  This shape is seen on the V-3500 in 1970 so again toward the end of the run?  No date code.  Maple maybe because at this date they may have exhausted the Elm supply.  You see later 1400’s go back to maple.

[kneel7628]

I posted earlier that one of my v350 , Sears roebucks varient was cronied @366 fps that was wrong it is avg 398 fps hi 404 fps- low 396 fps, on my v350s that have some side to side play in them, I had to replace the spacer, sometimes the guide screw in the spacer eggs out a bit from cocking. The barrel. I just picked up the m-1 wooden stock 3500 ( newer v350) on eBay for.$250.00. the seller described it as shooting hard an accurate. I sure hope so. I've been looking for the m-1 with a real wooden stock for a long time.
Do you think $250.00 for a used one in perfect working cond. And near perfect cosmetically is a good price? I have seen the crossword plastic stock versions selling for as hi as $300.00 in just cocks and shoots condition.
Thanks all
Let me know what you think

[45flint]

I posted earlier that one of my v350 , Sears roebucks varient was cronied @366 fps that was wrong it is avg 398 fps hi 404 fps- low 396 fps, on my v350s that have some side to side play in them, I had to replace the spacer, sometimes the guide screw in the spacer eggs out a bit from cocking. The barrel. I just picked up the m-1 wooden stock 3500 ( newer v350) on eBay for.$250.00. the seller described it as shooting hard an accurate. I sure hope so. I've been looking for the m-1 with a real wooden stock for a long time.
Do you think $250.00 for a used one in perfect working cond. And near perfect cosmetically is a good price? I have seen the crossword plastic stock versions selling for as hi as $300.00 in just cocks and shoots condition.
Thanks all
Let me know what you think

Condition is everything in pricing so difficult to say.  I don’t think $250 for excellent condition with original magazine is out of line for wood M-1? 

[unionrdr]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood?

I was told (but don't know if it's true) that fiddleback and similar figure in wood is mostly due to the weight of the tree's trunk. Over time, it compresses what was originally straight grain into a wavy pattern.

  Hm? I wonder which it really is? Moisture/mold seeping in, weight of trunk on growth rings, or a genetic variation somehow?

[45flint]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood?

I was told (but don't know if it's true) that fiddleback and similar figure in wood is mostly due to the weight of the tree's trunk. Over time, it compresses what was originally straight grain into a wavy pattern.

  Hm? I wonder which it really is? Moisture/mold seeping in, weight of trunk on growth rings, or a genetic variation somehow?

“There are lots of theories about why figure develops, but the ultimate cause or causes are still unknown. None of the studies have shown a direct correlation between factors like geographic location, climate, soil, rate of growth, etc. and figure in wood. It has been found that the best figured wood usually develops in straight, well-formed, and healthy trees. All types of figured wood occur in all parts of the world, but there are certain areas that yield more trees with figured wood than other areas.”

[45flint]

Chronographed this 350 this morning came in at 396 FPS, shows that the internals are just about as new as well?

[unionrdr]

To my current understanding, the flames, tiger stripes, ad infinitum are due to mold and moisture working their way down into the wood?

I was told (but don't know if it's true) that fiddleback and similar figure in wood is mostly due to the weight of the tree's trunk. Over time, it compresses what was originally straight grain into a wavy pattern.

  Hm? I wonder which it really is? Moisture/mold seeping in, weight of trunk on growth rings, or a genetic variation somehow?

“There are lots of theories about why figure develops, but the ultimate cause or causes are still unknown. None of the studies have shown a direct correlation between factors like geographic location, climate, soil, rate of growth, etc. and figure in wood. It has been found that the best figured wood usually develops in straight, well-formed, and healthy trees. All types of figured wood occur in all parts of the world, but there are certain areas that yield more trees with figured wood than other areas.”

  It's starting to look like it's a combination of soil nutrient/trace element content, sunlight/rain cycles and the like?

[Hoosier Daddy]

Chronographed this 350 this morning came in at 396 FPS, shows that the internals are just about as new as well?

WOW!
That is truly a nice find Steve!

[45flint]

Sighted in my 350 today.  One thing that became evident after about 20 shots, these will wear out your arm in a hurry!  They get that power from a good spring and there is no mechanical advantage in the cocking.  Can’t imagine a kid doing this!