The pictured pad looks like the base is either missing or it has been attached to the sponge parts. I have removed these pads in the past and Jim's idea to cut everything off except the base and then glue a new sponge pad onto the base is a good one. The base does not seem to deteriorate on these pads.

More vintage pad examples here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22972603

RevDocDrew,

Great picture trail on the recoil pads. I'd suggest a correction, on the Ithaca "bridge trestle" pads. As introduced circa 1931/1932 they had a black hard rubber base.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...aRecoilpad.jpg

The original run had PAT. APPL'D FOR under the ITHACA GUN Co. ITHACA, N.Y. logo.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...restlepads.jpg

Eventually this was changed to PATENTED.

The Aluminium base first appears in the Summer 1950 illustrated Ithaca price list --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...aRecoilpad.jpg

The Aluminum base pad is still offered thru 1953. I then have a ten year gap in my Ithaca paper and by 1963 they are offering this pad --

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...arecoilpad.jpg

Thanks Dave. I added those images and corrected the caption.