Question on an M2 stock

[USGI]

I picked up an M2 stock at a show recently - couldn't see any markings on it. It could be birch, and I figured when I got it home I'd find SA stamped on the left side of the barrel channel. I didn't find any markings at all, and when I compare it to my SA stocks, I see several differences: The stock in question has only one hole at the butt instead of the SA's (3). Also, the milling in the slingwell is split down the middle front to back, leaving the lower half slightly recessed from the upper. This leaves a noticeable "line" down the middle of the sling cut. Also, there is a recessed area about 3/4" wide running the full length of the operating slide channel. This milled recess is rounded at the front near the barrel channel. I was going to post some pictures, but then found one just like it on eBay this evening - so will post a link to it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:SS:SS:US:1120
Do you guys think this stock is US Military, or possibly from Korea or some other country? Thanks! - Bob

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[USGI]

I'll try posting a couple pictures of my stock later this evening. On the eBay stock, the last (2) pictures show the milling marks I'm referring to. - Bob

[painter777]

Bob,
You think it could be a Overton stock made for the Civy market?
The auction one looks to be birch.

Charlie-Painter777

[USGI]

Charlie,
It might be, but it's as old as the hills - looks like it might have had the "Easy Off" oven cleaner treatment, and an attempt at re-staining. Wouldn't an Overton have their mark in the barrel channel or some place? The only marks on this one is "66" or "99" (1/4" high) on the bottom of the stock just in front of the TH opening. Another thing that's different than the SA's is a length of a section of wood that sits just to the right of where the hammer would be if the action were placed into the stock. It measures 1-1/8" and on the SA's it's 1-1/4". I'll try to post a couple pictures in just a bit. Thanks! - Bob

[USGI]

Adding some pictures of the stock. - Bob

[painter777]

Last picture of the 66,
Almost looks like that one British Proof stamp...... The C with intertwined P.
But I see no leg of the P, and I don't believe on the Circled P, that the Left side of the P is that far to the left ( in the C) A Brit Proof has the Leg of the P more centered.IIRC

This make any sense?

Could you picture the side of the pistol grip?
Looking for a white line, that usually indicates Birch, possible Kapur.

I'll try looking for a link to that P in a C.

Charlie-Painter777

[painter777]

Bob,
War Baby II, page 521,
Is the Circled P I was thinking of.
Not a match to yours.
Can we forget I posted that above?
Maybe I missed the morning meds or just need a nap

Sorry,
CH

P.S. I have a Kapur stock pulled out. It measures 1-1/8" on that right shelf.
At first glance it has a similar profile inside the inner walls of the op slide channel, but yours has a different style milling, especially that bottom milled 'Outline'

[USGI]

Charlie,

I got busy with a bunch of stuff outside, and here it is almost midnight. I did get some pictures of the pistol grip around 7:30 PM and will post. The lighting varies a bit, and about all you can see are "dents and gouges." There is a line of some type on the left side, but probably just a scratch. So, you don't think it's Kapur?

Thanks!

Bob

[painter777]

No,
It isn't Kapur.
Kapur varies from a old natural hard pine color with wide grain patterns to a almost Amber Shellac color, like natural aged Ash (in color). When in to the heart wood of Kapur it has a purplish red color.

I asked for pics of the grip area after seeing that light color around the left and right rail tops.
Best way for me to ID Birch is the way you often find a ring of white (or a lighter color line) around the pistol grip.

Here's an example of a S C B stock of Birch I have on a IBM I own.
Note the light color line around the very rear of the pistol grip:







Looking at your pictures out in the sun, it looks very much like Walnut to me.

Charlie-Painter777

[INLAND44]

Looks like a typical post-war M2 stock. Pretty sure it was USGI at one time. The '66' might be a rack number from some other country.