I hate being devil's advocate, but yes. All of the above. English walnut helps mitigate this as on D Grades and above.

Most pin jobs will be found on black walnut stocks of the lower grades. But if done competently, they appear to hold. Notice I didn't say "attractively."

I remember one research letter that documented the order of a new gun specifying that the stock head be pinned before shipping.





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That is interesting. Somebody knew something or just wanted extra strength just because. I guess the ones that aren't split out by now that are in decent shape will probably still hold up okay, or not. The new way they fix them now with staple and epoxy if not restocking probably works pretty well.

My dad just picked a up 12 ga vh shooter that had a dowel fixing a split. He went in and did the staple fix and gun stock is tight. Gun shoots great as well. Shot it a few times on some clays, and it shoots where you look.

How would you rate this pin job? There is some engraving on the parts I just cant capture it on my camera.
How much would this depreciate the value of this gun?
http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/53358_800x600.jpg
http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/53359_800x600.jpg
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http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/53361_600x400.jpg
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i would think it being a good shooter gun that it would not detract in my opinion...charlie

I have a VHE 16ga skeet gun that the stock has been pinned. It looks like an ivory or pearl diamond. Never had any problems with it.

The picture posted by Dale in my opinion shows a factory pinned stock head

Hmmm... makes me wonder about Brother McCormack's A-grade small bore Parker.

Kevin, do you know if this was simply a really attractive embellishment or could the stock head be pinned?

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I guess the crux as to the reason and timing for employing the pin is what makes a difference. If there is stock damage and the pin is there for that purpose then the overall gun value is effected due to the stigma of the damage. The pin is just indicative of curing the problem. I think that has more impact to value then the pinning if done competently. We saw some good examples of pinning do we actually have any examples of known guns that were pinned by Parker that are still floating around to know how they did it. That one gun that had scroll work done on pin, was that done by Parker or some other very competent gunsmith. Also the gun that had the ivory did you see nay other damage or was it just that pin which might be decoration or a cover.

My take is If the pinning was employed for super-adequacy purposes or decoration and there is no indicated damage to stock or gun then that should not impact value, technically speaking. In this case someone may or may not pay anything extra for the pins but might not discount the gun due to condition or wear unless on closer examination. That might be a personal taste issue.

here is my pinned stock, what do you think? looks the same on both sides and I took the stock off I found no cracks. it's on a 1889 2 frame EH 10 ga.