Grump
Member
The question is whether I should continue the repair with some period-approximate iron or brass straps over the break, held in with period-correct wood screws.
I couldn't stand the nickel-plated copper wire wrapped around the wrist on the old thing, so I took it off and discovered wood putty under there, where the top had the original wood sliver broken off just like the two slivers missing on each side of the trigger guard.
Turns out the stock was drilled on a vertical slant through the wrist under the wire, and the dowel in there was not very strong at all. That has been replaced with a piece of 1/2 inch oak for strength, and I have pieced in replacement walnut for the three missing chunks.
It's all put together with hide glue and the new wood and some areas sanded through the oil finish have been darkened with a nut husk dye.
I'm tempted to just oil it up and go with it as-is.
Thoughts, recommendations?
I couldn't stand the nickel-plated copper wire wrapped around the wrist on the old thing, so I took it off and discovered wood putty under there, where the top had the original wood sliver broken off just like the two slivers missing on each side of the trigger guard.
Turns out the stock was drilled on a vertical slant through the wrist under the wire, and the dowel in there was not very strong at all. That has been replaced with a piece of 1/2 inch oak for strength, and I have pieced in replacement walnut for the three missing chunks.
It's all put together with hide glue and the new wood and some areas sanded through the oil finish have been darkened with a nut husk dye.
I'm tempted to just oil it up and go with it as-is.
Thoughts, recommendations?