I have also inlayed in new wood. I did this once on a gun that had a bolt through the action panels for un-needed reinforcement. I inlayed a pice of walnut into it the exact shape that I wanted my checkerd panel to be and them cut the panel with the border falling outside the inlay. Was not able to be seen after it was done. except for the fact that there was checkered panels where there normally wouldn't be. I think this is the best way to repair those pesky reinforcing bolts.

I've done the same in the past when replacing bordered checkering panels. Since the checkering pattern covers of much of the forend and goes all the way to the metal I was thinking of laminating a thin veneer to the barrel side of the forend to raise the surface enough to sand flat and re-checker. Ajusting the forend iron and latch inletting accordingly. Depending on how thick the veneer is I can either hide the glue line right at the edge or put the checkering border right on it. That's a great idea for dealing with those reinforcing cross bolts Brian. I have a Folsom 12ga that's hi 90's condition except for a crack in the head "repaired" with a cross bolt. Perhaps a checkered side panel "upgrade" is in it's future.

Well I got my new forend completed to match the new buttstock. From a different piece of wood as the buttstock, but a great match.

Though I liked the idea of keeping the original forend on the gun, it just did not suit the new woon on the back half. Even with new finish and checkering, it still looked old and out of place.

I can't wait to take it out hunting in a few weeks!

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nice job on the wood... charlie

Nice job Brian, it looks "right".