Winchester 54 tapped rear bridge...?

[cartod]

I have an old winchester model 54 that has had 1 hole drilled and tapped in the rear bridge. My question is; does anyone know if this tapped hole can be pluged and welded to bring it back to original. this is not a gun I want to sell but one I want to keep and have like it was when it was made. Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

I would suggest just putting a plug screw in the hole.

Welding will ruin the finish.
And a refinish job will not come close to matching the orginial bluing unless Doug Turnbull does it.

IMO: The refinish would be much more distracting then a plug screw.

rc