Woodwork issues with a NZ old soldier.

[Kiwi]

Recently purchased a NZ marked 1918 RSAF Enfield ShtLe III* that's all matching, but it has a one of the 'ears' of the front handguard which has warped out a bit (no sign of a split or crack to warrant the distortion to the wood). There is also a start of a crack just forward of the trigger guard. Any suggestions as to what I can do to bring the handguard 'ears' back into line and to stop that crack from spreading?

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[Peter Laidler]

Not much you can do about the ear that's warped outwards, I suppose you could remove the hjandguard and bind the outward bend INwards for a year. But it WILL reassert itself - eventually! I would just make off the outer edge to suit

Cracked fore-end indicates to me badly fitted/fitting or knackered draws. Fix them and then open out the crack, drill small hole at the end of crack to relieve the stress, insert wood glue into crack and cramp. Hardwood dowel into the hole you droilled to stress relieve. I would follow it up with a hardwood dowel across the crack but then, I'm an Armourer and not an originality buff.....

All this has been aired several times before as I seem to recall

[WarPig1976]

The bent ear can be straightened using steam. Woodworkers and instrument makers use steam and clamps to bend wood into desirable shapes. Gunsmith Gary can use a teapot on his stove to produce the steam to soften the ear and clamps to hold it on his rifle until it cools/dries, or use a block of wood slightly smaller then the sight mount to "over" bend the ear for a snug fit. Be forewarned.!! Steam WILL remove dirt and oil so some refinishing of the area may be required.

It's the only way I know to bend wood. Perhaps watch some videos of how instruments like violins are made to give you an idea of the process.

[Peter Laidler]

I learned a saying about wood from someone on the old Jouster forum. There's two sorts of wood. There's wood that HAS warped. And there's wood that HASN'T warped - yet!