I'm in the middle of sanding down a fireplace surround. How can I match this stain color?

"Matching" a "stain" is an artform. There's no guarantee it's an off-the-shelf product or a product that still exists if it was off-the-shelf if it was applied in the distant past. I typically work with dyes and other products on scrap of the of the same species (or in an area of the piece being rehabilitated that can get sanded back) to get close by mixing colors. And don't forget that whatever top coat will be used also needs to be applied to test pieces/areas to get the final hue.
 
What Jim said, for sure. Modern methods will get you in the ballpark but its tough. I'm trying to get a stain match currently on a very dark brown similar to yours and the stains that get me in the range are gel stains as they seem to hold the darker color on the product better. Meaning, it doesn't wipe off like an off the shelf water based stain.
 
I found that once I get the right color, that using wipe on finish (shellac or oil-based poly) with that color mixed in, can get me very close to the color match I am after. Each wiped on coat (thin coats only) will slightly darken the finish. Repeat until the color match is good. Sometimes a final wipe on over all the surfaces (original and refinished) will result in a closer match.

I have only had good results when the underlying wood is the same as the original. Color matching with a different species of wood is more difficult.
 
If you use wax on any tool that comes in contact with the work surface, a thorough cleaning is suggested to get good adhesion for any finish that is later applied.
 
Staining and/or dying to match an existing color is far more difficult than it appears, especially over a period of time.
Even if you do manage to get it worked out well enough to pass scrutiny today, it is not likely to stay that way.
The natural aging of the original finish is still present, and all of the "new work" has either removed it or replaced it. (depending on the nature of the repair)
The newly matched parts are not likely to age the same way.
 
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