G-43 duffle cut repair or not?

[Steve Flanagan]

Taking delivery of a very nice but laquered all matching G-43 today with a decent duffle cut repair, looks as if glue has given way partially and a metal band has been inletted on upper edge of lower stock at foreend. I like the history of a duffle cut but the metal insert is extremely visible and has been inletted into the wood., thinking of re-gluing with thick superglue and possibly filling in the inlet,,,opinions?

[Steve Flanagan]

G43 photos

Will possibly do this prior to taking off the laquer to clean up repair at same time,

[Steve Flanagan]

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[Gunbunny]

Rub some alcohol on the stock. Sometimes shellac was used instead of lacquer and alcohol will take it off. I have an M1 carbine that was finished that way and it went to "sporterized" to milspec in just a few minutes of rubbing with alcohol.

[bodes]

Steve, I believe the decision comes down to the person who owns it.....It's all about how you feel about it.....After all, it is part of the history of the weapon......Just remember though, restoration may very well involve sanding.....IF restoration threatens stock cartouches for any reason, than you may want to reconsider that option.....Bodes

[Steve Flanagan]

Alcohol

Denatured alcohol took it off in twenty minutes, thanks guys!

[phild]

Steve, I...After all, it is part of the history of the weapon

This is true, but then again everything that happens to anything prior to today is part of history! A lot of collectors these days put a lot of prestige on the attribution of an item being a "bring back" or vet "capture". I have never given it a dimes worth of weight since I have been collecting.

As for stock cuts, I can tell you as a fact that many collectors as late as the 1960s were cutting stock forearms on many military stocks (including Civil War muskets/rifles!!!) in order to allow them to fit certain parcel restrictions for shipping to other collectors and dealers..etc.within the U.S.!!!

As for the G-43 in this thread, the cut may or may not be GI connected, but I know that I would rather have a mis-matched part or two (bolt, stock or or similar part included) any day on a rifle that I owned than to have to live with that stock as it is.
If itis repaired I think that it needs to be done by an expert. This job will be more difficult to do RIGHT and make look right than a standard under rear band 98k cut.

[Darryl Langston]

I agree, I would try for the repair and get rid of the metal plate. It may not be perfect, but it would be better.

[Steve Flanagan]

G43

Im taking it to a antique furniture repair business to get them to work on it, I dont mind a visible duffle cut, just a horrible duffle cut. Thanks again,