Stock fix problem

[Wulf]

What is the best way to fix a stock that some numbwitt has scratched his initials into?

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[Aragorn243]

Some would say to leave it alone as it is part of the history of the piece.

I know of no way to remove them other than sanding them out which would pretty much force you to refinish the entire stock so the color matches throughout.

Steaming only works when the wood it still there which it isn't when it is scratched.

[Wulf]

That is what I figured. I have restored numerous Carbine staocks that looked amazing when finished. Although none had this type of issue. I would rather this person had stamped the letters. At least those stand a chance of being steamed.

[frankderrico]

Wulf, steaming would get some of the scratches out. I'm not sure how mutch though. I think it would be worth the effort to redue the entire stock. You have done it before and it would improve the looks of this one. IMHO.....Frank

[Wulf]

Unfortunately, no amount of steaming can replace wood that has been taken away as this one has. Just wondering if anyone had any other ideas other than sanding. Thanks.

[louthepou]

Indeed steaming works when wood has been crushed, not removed.

Chiseling away a flat section and doing a good patching job with good glue and matching wood would be a repair, but the surface area seems large... I'd leave it as is, I think.

Lou

[tbonesmith]

Any repair will be larger than the damage, and unless you're a magician, any repair I can think of will be more unsightly.
I can think of one thing I'd try though, get some coloured waxes used to repair chips in timber work, specialist suppliers sell sets. You can combine the colours to match what you have. You just heat a small metal filling blade and knife it into the chips, then you knife/smooth off the excess and rub with a cloth. If it looks better great, if not you just pick it out and no harm done.
It wont be invisible but it will disguise it, and require no permanent modification

[Pattern14]

Maybe the "numbwitt" who put the initials there actually carried the rifle in service. If so, I'd say it was part of the rifle's history and anyway you're probably not going to repair it without it being obvious. If it's a U.S. rifle, practice was not to deface Government property but things happen!