Looks good to me Calvin.

There are few records of the weights of Trojans. Trojans were made to a standard with regard to gauge and barrel length and variances in weight within a particular gauge and barrel length could be + or - a couple of ounces of the standard.

It is most definitely a dowel and not wood filler. The tolerance around the dowel is VERY close; whoever did it and whatever the reason, they didn't mess around! I did a bit of cursory prying, but it ain't coming out unless I drill it out, which I'm not prepared to do.

This old girl has been around the block a time or two; I'm not sure you'd get much accuracy asking for a letter and comparing "then and now" weights. She weighs 6lbs 9oz, which doesn't seem bad for a 16ga Trojan; can't imagine anybody adding weight, but I suppose it could have happened. Also I don't expect the Redhead pad is original?

As much as I'd like to know the story, I may just have to add it to my ever-increasing list of life's little mysteries.

How about a quick trip to the local X-Ray shop?

Yeah; I was thinking about that. I wonder who would do it cheap?

Come to Ness might be able to talk my Doc into it.:)

Well, here's an old thread but (hopefully) a goody: on Tuesday I take my Trojan in to my dentist who has agreed to help me get the stock x-rayed. He's a shooter as well; he's shown me photos of two SKB sxs's that he's restocked; really nice work. So he said bring it in and he'll see what he can get, and if he's not successful we'll walk it down to the x-ray department at the clinic and he'll see if he can pull a string or two. Hopefilly I'm gonna get to see what's inside that stock!

My hygenist said he x-rayed her Christmas present for her one year, but then he wouldn't tell her what was in the box. It was gold earrings she said.

how about a metal detector to find out if it has been filled?

Is there a screw hole in the end of the dowel? If so, there might have been recoil pad on it in the past.

Having spend years in the carbon fiber composite business I couldn't help but wonder if any one had ever used a carbon rod or tube to strengthen a stock. Light weight, lots of strength!

Linn

Well, not much was learned. It's a wood dowel all right, but it only goes into the stock about 3". Nothing else in there (weight, old hunting license, $100 bill...). The only thing I can think is that somebody drilled it out (or started to) and then decided they didn't want the hole in the stock,so they filled it. Could have been the same person or a later owner. I can't imagine that the hole or 3" of 1/2" dowel would make much difference weight-wise; maybe they thought it was a strength issue.

So, another mystery NOT solved, but at least I know what it is.