Wood Selection for Plaque

[mattiep]

Ok, I'm a complete newbie, so I'd like a little help on my first official project. I plan on making a plaque for my "antique" pistol which I purchased in Afghanistan. Image is posted:

Pistol is about 16 inches long, so the plaque will be a 20 inch rectangle. Don't need much wood, but I'm unsure where to begin with wood selection and finish. Don't even know where to go for wood yet, so suggestion there are welcome too.

 

[Sealeveler]

Maple for a contrast although walnut wouldn't look bad either.
Tony

 

[Makinsawdust]

Cherry with a clear finish like an oil based polyurethane. The cherry would give you the richness of some color, grain and contrast but yet allow the gun to be the focal point. Interesting gun BTW.

 

[mattiep]

Hmm, I'll have to do some google image search and some amateur photoshop. Let's see...

 

[Sealeveler]

I like ellipse for my plaques.http://www.benchnotes.com/Laying out an oval/laving_out_an_oval.htm
Tony

 

[Gofor]

I have a big load of walnut sap wood that I call "streak of lean" meaning it has some heartwood and mostly sapwood. A lot of it is also natural edged. I am sure we can find some pieces that would work well for you.

Go

PS. Did I mention it would be free wood?