Yugo M48 BO Stock repair question

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

M48 Mauser added to my collection which research leads be to believe is a BO (export model) it also has the milled trigger housing and floor plate M48A?. Overall very nice (matching numbers on the bolt,reciever ,floor plate and stock with a great bore & blueing. Here is the rub.Attachment 43691Attachment 43692 It looks as though someone used it to drive tent stakes. Does anyone have any advice as to a good way to repair the gouges? There is a hairline crack running laterally from the upper palm area forward to just below the bolt handle that I believe can be repaired with the super glue trick mentioned in other postings. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

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[Aragorn243]

It looks like someone used a machete on it. Simplest but most destructive would be to sand or file them all out. That would result in a lot of lost material by the looks of it.

I was taught by a wood shop teacher many years ago to make wood filler out of your own wood. You'd need to find a wood of the same color and then sand it while collecting the dust. Once you have enough dust, you mix it up with glue and instant putty in the correct color. Fill it in and then sand it down when it dries. The trick in your case is to find a good glue that will hold up to the oils in the stock.

As a compromise, you could start sanding the stock itself while collecting the dust and then use the dust to fill in the remainder of the gouges.

I've never attempted that before on a stock so can't say if it would work or not.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Your suggestion is in line with what my brief research had found. Obviously I cannot resist a shelter pet. Any thoughts on the milled trigger housing and floor plate. A brief look indicates these are indicitive of an M48 A? The front sight base is unlike my 48B in that it takes the K98 style hood .http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y88...sighthoods.jpg no releaf cuts for and aft for the "tabbed hood"?

[WarPig1976]

How I would do it on this one is.
Strip it first wipe off as much a possible. Then steam the stock paying special attention to the damage area. This will raise those gouges and remove minor dents also any stripper and oil left.
Aragorn hit the nail on the head for your filler. If you steam to pull out the oil,Elmer's wood glue will adhere.
You'll have to stain it,use a spirt based stain from Brownells or chestnut ridge and finish with RLO,BLO,TO whatever you like. That's my short & sweet 2c.

[Aragorn243]

The milled parts are M48A from my research as well. That's what I have although mine has a sight hood. Not sure what type it is.

[Salt Flat]

Hooked on History --Yes, I agree. Definetly try steaming first and see what you get. A soaking wet rag and a hot iron will take out some of it. Then sand it down a little. If you try to sand it all out you may loose the stock contours. You could probably leave some marks and still have the overall look of the stock still pleasing. Salt Flat

[Tank50]

The milled trigger housing and floor plate definitely marks it as a M48. I agree with the homemade filler and steaming suggestions. Don't try to completely remove all signs of damage. You can leave enough that looks like "character" rather than abuse. M48s are great rifles. I love mine.

Good luck.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I am going to try a spot repair as the rest of the rifle looks well,like any wear was inflicted after import. I am pretty sure this one was a comsmoline queen when she arrived.
One additional note upon close inspection the milled floor plate was renumbered. I have read some M48s were repurposed and fitted as BOs (export rifles)?