Anyone seen this before?
 

Another head scratcher for me. Just acquired this GH. In pretty good shape with a few issues, one of which is this oval shield or something embedded in the side of the stock. My first thought when seeing it was it was hiding a pin, but no pin or evidence of anything on the opposite side. Appears someone just put this in to an otherwise good stock.

Has anyone ever seen something like this? Maybe a name plate, but I don't see any engraving. Any idea what it might be?

Is there a shield/plate on the opposite panel ?

There is not. There is nothing on the opposite side

As you alluded to earlier any alterations in that area make a person suspect of a stock repair. Take the stock off and see what's inside the head. If there are
signs of a repair that is most likely the answer. I suppose the owner could have damaged/gouged the side panel and this was an attempt to hide that. If there are no signs of repairs anywhere just call it custom and charge a little extra when and if you sell it.:)

I am not curious enough to remove the stock. Externally, I cannot see any damage. My best guess is a name plate, but that is an odd place for one.

You would think that if the owner went to that much trouble installing a name plate they would have followed through with the name or initials.

I have a gh with a wooden plug on one cheek panel. When I removed the stock it was of course cracked, and a large brass screw had been run into that panel. I left it since the plug was well done and repaired the stock internally. So maybe it is just hiding a wood screw.

Could be, but wouldn't there be a screw or something on the opposite side of the stock?

The initials could have worn off some time ago

Mills, remove the stock, it's probably a pin but you won't know until you can look at it.

A screw wouldn't have to go all the way through. I'd bet that's what is in there.