Enfield stock repair

[RexDart]

I recently acquired an Enfield No5 Mk1 "Jungle Carbine" suffering from a relatively mild case of bubbafication. In this case, the original sling loops had been removed (the back loop by bending off with a pair of pliers, ouch!) and quick-detach swivels added.

I plan to return it to original configuration, and am wondering the best way to patch the holes made by the swivel screws. My options, as I see them are:

1. Fill in with wood putty
2. glue or wedge in hardwood dowels/splinters and cut flush
3. Like #2, but drill out the holes first

I'm looking to do whatever will provide the best looking and durable repair. I will need to refinish the wood as there's a nasty coat of shellac (or something similar) over the whole stock and part of the action.

Recommendations, anyone?

 

[StrawHat]

A slight variation on your third option is to fit a "dutchman".

1. Find wood of the species, color and grain you want to use.

2. Cut the wood to the shape of the patch you want.

3. Inlet the patch to the stock.

4. Glue and let cure.

5. Refinish the stock.

Drilling and plugging will leave endgrain. Screws don't hold well in endgrain.

Wood putty is ....

Fitting a dutchman is fairly easy, looks good or invisible depending on your choice of wood and holds screws like they are supposed to hold.

If you match the stack wood the patch can be invisible.

Good luck.

 

[rcmodel]

#3 is your best option.

Wood putty will not match the stock and cannot be stained.

Old wood threads from the studs may be oil contaminated and may not hold glue properly.

I'd try to find a walnut or hardwood dowel that will match the stock color as close as possible when stained.

Light wood will get darker when stained on end-grain, so do some experimenting first.

When you glue in the plugs, line up the end grain of the dowell with the grain of the stock wood.

PS: Per StrawHats post, I'm assuming the swivel studs were not in the same place the broken-off military swivel was, so end grain should not be a factor in replacing the broken military swivel.

rcmodel

 

[RexDart]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Yes, the QD swivels were added by just punching them into the wood of the buttstock and forearm.

There should be no structural stresses on any plugs, the originals were part of the metal fittings of the rifle, not screwed into the stock in any way. The original front sling swivel was held on by the screw holding the barrel band together; the rear sling loop on the No 5 is an integral part of the butt plate.

Suggestions on removing the shellac without doing violence to the cartouches on the buttstock?

 

[rcmodel]

I'd probably try this first.

http://www.formbys.com/products/refinisher.cfm

It actually works pretty good on most old oil-based finishes I have used it on.

Most paint & varnish strippers will raise the wood grain and require some sanding afterward.
This stuff doesn't!

rcmodel