![f055-02](https://article-imgs.scribdassets.com/92m73fvxs0aajekv/images/fileLV9GKHAH.jpg)
![f055-01](https://article-imgs.scribdassets.com/92m73fvxs0aajekv/images/fileKL3JAPP7.jpg)
ince the advent of practical handheld firearms at the end of the 15th century, wood was the usual material used to make their stocks. It was relatively light, strong and easily worked. In Europe, most guns were stocked in walnut (); in the US, the slightly darker (American walnut) was used. Cheaper firearms tended to be stocked in beech but, that said, France, Prussia and Austria-Hungary often