Filled holes on no4 mk1 handguards

[Wigglesabum]

I have a 1942 No4 Mk1 and it appears to have handguards which have been filled with wood or some sort of filler. The material is slightly darker than the rest of the walnut and flush with the rest of the stock. Is this the work of bubba? Was this something that might have been done when the rifle was reworked post-war? I would appreciate any guidance.

I am away from the rifle currently but will post pictures when I return home. Thanks!

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[browningautorifle]

some sort of filler.

Sounds like a repair of sorts. Not a military fix...

filled with wood

That would be how they did it, patching was standard practice. Depending on the shop of course.

[Wigglesabum]

Sounds like a repair of sorts. Not a military fix...



That would be how they did it, patching was standard practice. Depending on the shop of course.

Let me be more clear on that initial post. The holes which were filled are the handguard rivet holes. The 4 holes on the top near the rear band.

[Peter Laidler]

Absolutely no need to fill those rivet holes. So if there's no need, don't fil 'em! We never filled them, not even for a trade test piece where everything was absolutely perfect

[Wigglesabum]

Absolutely no need to fill those rivet holes. So if there's no need, don't fil 'em! We never filled them, not even for a trade test piece where everything was absolutely perfect

Roger I will count it for bubba

[Wigglesabum]

Before I undo something which should be kept as is I thought I would send some photos.




20190406-133304 — imgbb.com

[Flying10uk]

You maybe better leaving them as they are now?

[Wigglesabum]

You maybe better leaving them as they are now?

Well is how they are now original possibly? If it is not original then I would prefer to return it to its original config.

[tbonesmith]

Does the rifle have a heavier than standard barrel? Sometimes the rivets and steel reinforcing pieces need to go to carry say a Lithgow Heavy no4 barrel in 7.62.

[Roger Payne]

That's a very good point - frequently meat was removed from the underside of hand guards to ensure they did not foul a heavier profile barrel. This often led to the removal of the bottom of the rivet, leaving only friction holding it in place. A gob of plastic wood may have seemed a solution. It may not be the case here, but worth checking before you dig out the filler!