"Bomb Crater" stake marks disappeared from my Inland a couple weeks ago.

I've hesitated to post this since I know it's a controversial subject, and not everyone here would agree about the 'honesty' of doing such a thing to a WWII rifle. I'd been debating what to do about some horrible stake marks on my Inland's rear sight and receiver for nearly six years. At the time I bought it, I was advised by member INLAND44 (on another board) to consider having the damaged area welded up. I recently paid a visit to the "J-B Weld Shop" and this is how it turned out. Someday it will be given to one of my grandsons. I'll explain that I repaired it, much the same as one would with dents on a stock, or a car fender. I know I may receive criticism on this, but have decided to take that risk. Comments? - Bob

but I have to ask, Why? Those punchmarks are part of the process, most carbines have them.
This is the history of that carbine. Nice job anyway, looks good.

Over time, those things will be overlooked and forgotten. It's yours and you can do whatever your conscience allows.

It doesn't look like JBW's "natural gray". What did you use to finish it?

That is what I call a "NICE HONEST REPAIR".

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Originally Posted by CrossedCannons

It doesn't look like JBW's "natural gray". What did you use to finish it?

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PM Sent

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Originally Posted by DaveHH

but I have to ask, Why? Those punchmarks are part of the process, most carbines have them.
This is the history of that carbine. Nice job anyway, looks good.

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The "why" is very hard for me to explain - I've agonized over this for a long time. I felt that anything I tried would probably make it worse. But look closely at that first picture - the sight base and the receiver have basically been ruined by someone, and I don't think they were associated with the US Military. I know the feelings that most on this forum have toward these rifles, and I knew that posting about this would raise some doubt about my motives. Still, in case someone else could "feel better" over a bad purchase by doing an inexpensive repair, I wanted to pass along the idea for their benefit. Thanks for the nice comment. - Bob

I think it came out great. Sure looks nicer.
Won't fool anyone, since you can still see that the rear is staked.
A friend has one uglier than yours was to start with. He had pounded away with a chisel point trying to tighten down the Adj sight.
I'll pass this along to him. It would sure make his Bubba style staking look better.

Nice Job Bob,
Charlie

You are not trying to fool anyone as you are giving it to your grandson.
Not trying to gain more on a sale, and as Charlie mentions, it won't fool a collector.
We have seen guys here post pictures showing that they filled in holes drilled into a receiver for scope mounts.
It's not like putting on repo parts. Maybe call it a repair.
Bottom line it is yours. Took some guts to post it not knowing the reaction you would get.
I think it came out nice also. And the best part is, you are happy with it.

Jim

Looks awesome from here!!

Bob, I have to agree with JimF, Charlie and shady. It looks much better, nice job.....Frank

It definitely looks much better Bob. It would be different if you had an early type I sight on it and you were trying to make it look like an early original rifle that had not been rebuilt.

To me that is only a cosmetic repair no different than repairing a cracked stock with glue/pins and then filling the holes and staining to match the wood. Nice looking work.

This is turning out more positive than I thought it would. They actually staked it on both sides, front and back. I could have "fixed" the back of the dovetail also, but filled only part of the marks on the right side and left the rest alone on purpose - trying to be a "good guy" about it. I left a little bit on the sight hoping some of it would line up with the receiver when I got it sighted-in, but it didn't. Thanks guys! - Bob

is that how you did it or was some color added? The color is absolutely spot on. I've used JB for a lot of different fixes on everything from equipment to watch cases. It is the only product that really comes out as a durable repair as opposed to some fragile plastic filler.

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Originally Posted by DaveHH

is that how you did it or was some color added? The color is absolutely spot on. I've used JB for a lot of different fixes on everything from equipment to watch cases. It is the only product that really comes out as a durable repair as opposed to some fragile plastic filler.

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PM sent

If your PM's are concerning tinting of JBWeld, could I get one also?
Thanks

USGI, what's the mystery here?
We all agree you did a good job on your carbine.
So why all the PM'S, let us know what you did.....Frank

Yeah, the tinting probably should be public knowledge. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it on their site. I really don't think it's that much of a problem to be known.
All my JB repairs look like.....well, JB Weld. If I know how to tint them they'll still look like.....JB Weld. Just not so gaudy.
Just a thought.

The PM's were because I'm a little bit embarrassed about it. No magic J-B Weld mixture. It's a paint job - Testors #2549 Flat Black enamel paint marker - then went over it lightly with 0000 steel wool after it was dry. Now I'm going to hide out for awhile. :red face: - Bob

I repaired big ugly hole someone had punched through the recess on the receiver for the slide stop on one of my rebuilds with JB weld.
It worked and matched so well it was incredible.

The JB weld was bright silver and I just happened to have some graphite dry lubricant there so I mixed a little in when I was mixing in the hardener and the dull gray color matched perfectly.

No need to hide out, Bob.
Paint's even better!