Battle damaged stock.

What would you do with this guys ? I only have the stock. Keep it as it is, or send to someone like Charlie or Frank ? .... if Mr Obama lets me. I've been worrying about it for sometime. Hi Wood. A repair by barrel band. Have only kept it in case the I Cut, Cartouch, and P become an issue combating the fraudsters but I think everyone is a lot more educated than they used to be in that respect. I'd really like to hear opinions on those dimples in the slingwell ? I have my ideas. I really enjoy the posts where people show their bad stuff, not just the good, we can all learn from that. Thanks. Mike. N.Z.

Mike,

Unless there is damage I’m not seeing I wouldn’t do anything until I had a carbine to put in it. If I found an action with original finish that was worn I would leave the ding, dents and finish alone. The stock has that been there done that look and with a matching action that’s the way I would want it if it were mine.

On the other hand, an action with most of the finish still in on it I would want the stock repaired, cleaned up and a fresh coat or two of oil.

John

The stock has been sanded at some time in it's past, and the current dings are deep enough that anything done to remove them will probably remove what markings are left. There are signs of someone trying to pry out the oiler without removing the sling, which probably wasn't a GI. The dings are just dings, and I don't see that they detract that much.

Mike, that looks like in service type dings and dents. Kind of like it had a rough ride in a Jeep.
My work usually involves repairs and refinishing. I think I would leave it as is.
I'm not sure about the slingwell. Could it have been hung upside down by the sling and then bounced off something? Just a thought.
How about a pic of the repair by the barrel band?
Anyway nice looking stock waiting for a rifle, thanks for sharing the pics.

Best Regards.....Frank

I wouldn't necessarily call it "battle damage", it is use damage. Nothing wrong with it, just leave it as it is. Any attempt to remove the "damage" would, as stated above, remove remaining markings and that would be too bad. It seems to have a nice look.

Mike,

I like it as is. With the right receiver it will look nice.

Jim

Do not try to make the stock perfect. I would first remove the finish, whatever it is, then I would start steaming the dents. Most of them will get a lot better. You see, the wood is compressed in a dent. The steam/water vapor is absorbed by the fibers and expands, un-denting the wood. Steaming the whole stock will help remove the finish left after stripping. At this point, I'm going to do some very light sanding. I will stain the stock and then oil it w/ linseed oil. Where there is a gouge and wood is gone, steaming will be of little help. Usually I leave these alone depending on how bad and location. The arsenals used walnut pieces cut from discarded stocks to repair better stocks for duty. They also used wood filler, but rarely. Sometimes they used pieces of hardwood dowel, such as where a buttplate screw thread was stripped out.

As mentioned by INLAND44, if you steam any of the dents you will have to strip it then. The steaming will remove the finish and color in those areas.

Mike,
Could you show us the repair at the barrel band?

Thx Mate,
Charlie

P.S. Starting to get cold down there yet?

step away from the stock! it has that been there done that look, I like it!

Johnny; at one time I had a pint of G.I. stock stain from Rock Island. Over the years I've used it up, and only have a little left. I got it from a guy who had bought it by the gallon at Rock Island, I guess at an auction. I've never seen another stain just like it. I know there have been many attempts to reproduce it, but surely the formula is no secret - seems like it would be available in the documents used to procure it. If you have the right stain, you don't mind washing or steaming a stock.

The dimples in the Sling Slot almost look like someone tried to peen the marks out.

Thanks Folks ! Charlie, will take a pic of the repair, when I get some sunlight, Cheers Bud, Mike.