It's kinda like looking at the chests of the models on Deal Or No Deal - you don't know if it's real or not. The Mustang has what Lyman calls their "Ultra Grain" finish. When you take the recoil pad off the wood appears to be plain white birch. I think the finish is applied with some kind of dipping process the way they do camo finishes. Anyway, it looks fine and has held up well so far. No chips, fade, wear or scratches. Nine out of ten guys who handle the gun never guess it's not really high grade walnut.