I have several of these pads that are new and original. If it letters with this pad I would have a new old stock professionally reinstalled.

Ed,
I have an NOS Jostam pad of that style if you're interested.

Bill,
If it is nailed on as the originals were to be installed, wouldn't there be no holes in the back of the pad? I am betting that if a screwdriver of the proper size is sent down into the two holes, one will find screws holding it on. I could be wrong, but cannot find any other reason for the two holes in the original pad.

Seems like a VERY strong reason to leave it the hell alone then......

Ed

I think you could make it look pretty nice, if you want to get rid of that nice patina, with some judicious sanding on the sides of the pad with some very fine flint or garnet sandpaper… but leave the face of the pad as it is.

But first put some protective tape over the wood.



.

Bill is correct--These type pads are tacked & glued on. Click on the picture of the pad that researcher posted about them. The information in the text talks about the glueing & tacking method for installation.

I remember seeing some threads about these before, where the sponge rubber had to be cut through to remove the pad part just to reveal the tacks so the rest of the pad could be removed. I suspect that the holes in this pad were put there somewhere during this gun's life after the fact or whoever installed it decided two screws were an easier way to install it.

If only these guns could talk & tell us their story!

I did request a research letter which is en route, but it might be one with no records. We shall see. I did see some used Jostams of this type on Ebay but they looked as used as this one. I think I will just take the sage advice of the people who were good enough to reply to my query and leave it as is. It has certainly been my MO with my military rifles and handguns--some people can't resist refinishing and generally messing with patina when really as long as something isn't actually broken, it shouldn't be touched.

Ed

They would have tales to tell for sure. Although some, like the gorgeous AYA SxS I got for next to nothing because someone had painted it with alternating green and black for "camo effect", might be too traumatized to actually talk. :rotf: The firearms equivalent of PTSD; maybe PBSD with B for Bubba.

Ed

Simple solution to his problem is to store it barrel down. Those high end dealers don’t keep those guns on the butts 24/7/365 for years at a time. I’d be willing to wager that the guns in that pic do not all have original pads on them either. The old pads break down more than new/repro pads.

I have modified my gun safes to hold more guns, but also have laid down soft foam and then carpet on the bottom so the base has more "give". I think it is likely a combination of oil and storage maybe butt down on hard surfaces plus just age that does these old pads in. Storing barrel down makes sense though!

Ed