[Snowdog]

I have an 1861 Springfield musket that I received from my father-in-law that's been in my wife's family for over a century. All the metal is capable of being restored, but the stock is split in several spot and I just realized a thumb-size chunk of wood is missing from the stock directly behind the hammer.

I am curious if anyone knows of anyone who sells aftermarket (yet historically accurate) stocks for this rifle. I am having a hell of a time searching using Google, but I have found that there are new replica rifles being sold complete for $500+. I'm going to research if the importer of these rifles also have the ability to ship in only the stock (no metalwork) and hopefully they are close enough to the original to allow a stock swap.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated. My intention is to restore the rifle as much as possible to serve as a light shooter and a wallhanger to keep in the family. I am not at all interested in retaining it's monetary collector's value.

Thanks in advance!

[TheWall]

Try Taylor's -- they are the dealer for Armi Sport which makes a reproduction Springfield and other Civil War era arms.

Check out this link -- it has the stock for an 1861 Springfield...

http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/detail-parts.tpl?manufacturer=Armi%20Sport&subcategory=1861%20Springfield&category=Parts
(http://www.taylorsfirearms.com/products/detail-parts.tpl?manufacturer=Armi%20Sport&subcategory=1861%20Springfield&category=Parts)

[Snowdog]

Thanks for the link, TheWall! Looks like I'll be spending a bit on the stock, but when I remember it's an investment towards an existing family heirloom, the sticker-shock isn't that bad.

[TheWall]

No problem. Let me know how it goes. If possible, post a picture of the final product. Good luck.

[Shotgun Willy]

For values sake you might want to save the old stock. Don't know if it will matter but if it does and it's gone that would suck mud.
Bill

[Snowdog]

Good point, Bill. The stock is cracked (I think shattered might be a better description... I can't imagine what caused it), but holding on to it probably might be the wise thing to do. It might be restorable... just not by me.
I'll just toss it in the attic and forget about it.

TheWall, I know it'll make some cry that I'm planning to polish up this diamond-in-the-rough, but I'm sure I'll end up posting some images anyway. I figure if it's going on the wall and looked at plenty, better it look spiffy than ratty.

[arcticap]

This outfit has the stock listed for $240, plus they carry many different parts.

http://www.ssfirearms.com/

[4v50 Gary]

Keep the original wood. Don't replace the stock at all. Treat the wood & metal with Rennaisance Wax (available at WoodCraft Stores) to preserve it. Get a letter from the oldest family member attesting to its authenticity. This helps you establish its provenance. Then get ye down to the National Archives and get the service record (and pension record if available) for the ancestor. Keep these with the gun as they enhance its value (along with any photographs of him in uniform). Please, don't change the wood as you'll ruin its collector's value.

[Cap n Ball]

What Gary said is smack on. I've seen way too many fine old rifles and handguns devalued or even ruined by well intentioned 'spiffing up'. You would better spend your money on an authentic bayonet and scabbard to go with it on the wall. Theres a story behind whatever happened to that stock that you'll probably never find out. If it was actually carried in battle the damage might very well have been the result of hand to hand stuggle. Its history that speaks for itself.

[jackinil]

www.dunlopwoodcrafts.com

[Bad Flynch]

Be careful about buying a stock for a reproduction arm and then trying to fit it to your original barrel. Most of the reproduction 1861s have thicker barrels than the originals; it is a safety thing, you know. You will need to get to a stockmaker that knows the difference.