I have a very nice RIA 1903 that was restocked at some time in it's history with a newer style typical military stock - no grasping grooves on the forearm.
I recently acquired, for VERY cheap money, a very nice stock with grasping grooves that is much more appropriate to the rifle.
There is one problem with the stock and the reason it was cheap...there is an approx 5/16" hole drilled completely thru the main part of the stock. Why anyone would do that is beyond me...hang it on a nail maybe ?
I've done a lot of wood working in the past and was wondering what youse guys might suggest to minimize the appearance of a 'plug' which I think is the only way to repair it. I've thought of plugging it just below the surface and setting in a veneer patch, but that leaves a possible color issue and a bigger visible patched area.
It will be repaired one way or another. I just want an appropriate stock on it....It's not a museum piece...but I'd like the repair to be less than obvious and ugly.
Any suggestions?
I recently acquired, for VERY cheap money, a very nice stock with grasping grooves that is much more appropriate to the rifle.
There is one problem with the stock and the reason it was cheap...there is an approx 5/16" hole drilled completely thru the main part of the stock. Why anyone would do that is beyond me...hang it on a nail maybe ?
I've done a lot of wood working in the past and was wondering what youse guys might suggest to minimize the appearance of a 'plug' which I think is the only way to repair it. I've thought of plugging it just below the surface and setting in a veneer patch, but that leaves a possible color issue and a bigger visible patched area.
It will be repaired one way or another. I just want an appropriate stock on it....It's not a museum piece...but I'd like the repair to be less than obvious and ugly.
Any suggestions?