LE #1 Butt Plate -- Different sizes for different length butstocks?

[Seaspriter]

What you may notice is that the butts all differ slightly and Armourers always had to fit butt plates to the individual weapon.

The butt plates are generally all the same for both No.1 and No.4 rifles (one of the few parts that are interchangeable, from what I understand). The problem, as Capt. Laidler implies, is that manufacturing techniques around the world often produced a more generous portion of wood than necessary for an instant perfect fit. Be prepared to plane, file, and sand the stock to fit the butt plate. The problem this might create is the destruction of the wood patina where you cut off the old oxidized wood. Staining is one approach that might work. Another way to go is to attempt to oxidize the wood with a propane torch, using the very soft touch of a wide flare flame. Go slow, moving the torch across the surface, trying not to burn the wood, and if you do, go over the scorched area with steel wool, gradually taking off the burned area until it matches the patina.