The 2 is the grade. This was a normal marking in the guard inletting along with the serial number.
As jim said the shield is held in with 2 brads. This is all that they were held in with at the factory. On many old stocks the shield is pushed up due to oxidation build up under the shield. When you pull them off, there will be thick green buildup under it. You could clean it up snd re-inlay it back flush if you want. Or set it in epoxy and then put the brads back in. And then sand it all flat with the wood. This is how I install them on new stocks.
I would only really recommend leaving it in place as long as it is flush with the wood after your cleaning cycle.
__________________
B. Dudley
|
Threaded Mode