I have an English carbine dated from 1896. Someone removed 3/8 of an inch from the butt stock (basically squared it off to a flat surface) to put on a recoil pad. (Aaargh).

I have two questions.
Is there anyone who could restore this butt stock (I have the original brass plate and screws) by adding a wood patch to the butt and re-fitting the plate to spec length.

(you can't replace the stock altogether because there is a very important cartouche on it)

and 2,

Where could I buy the black hard rubber or plastic spacing material found on the back of most rubber recoil pads that attach to the surface of the wood.
I might just form that medium onto the butt and attach the plate to it...it would be a compromise but it may look fine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

clement1,

I can't help you with the first part of your question, but the black spacers that you asked about are available from:

www.brownells.com

Good luck with your project.

Wayne E.

IMO "restoration" and "compromise" are two words that don't go together. Replacing the buttstock is the only way to "restore" it. I don't know what type of carbine you have, but I'd bet you can find a buttstock with a the same cartouche if you look in the right place. The best Enfield/Martini collectors bulletin boards just shut down, but here is a link to where they are regrouping. These are some great guys who will bend over backward to help in the restoration of a rare british gun. They are spread all over the world and many of them have spare parts for trade etc. Hope you are successful. - John

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=20&SID=4525

[This message has been edited by Beelzebubba (edited 03-18-2002).]

Clement,
Replacing a recoil pad with black spacer is akin to washing ones feet in pig slop.

If this gun has any quality and you cannot find a stock replacement then I would have someone leather cover the recoil pad, as you will see on many old English rifles of that period and even today. But spacers are a definate no no...

The idea of gun restoration is to make a mistake look like it was done on purpose!! then it is no longer a mistake, it becomes an added feature. Same with a good custom rifle, woops!!

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Thanks for the tip I'll post up there.
Actually I should have thought of it since I sort of know Richard...I bought a rifle from him 3 years ago.

Clement

quote:

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Originally posted by Atkinson:
Clement,
Replacing a recoil pad with black spacer is akin to washing ones feet in pig slop.

If this gun has any quality and you cannot find a stock replacement then I would have someone leather cover the recoil pad, as you will see on many old English rifles of that period and even today. But spacers are a definate no no...

The idea of gun restoration is to make a mistake look like it was done on purpose!! then it is no longer a mistake, it becomes an added feature. Same with a good custom rifle, woops!!

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