Thanks much, Edgar - yes, I have seen several examples of replacement stocks with the 'R' stamp in the TG channel inletting. Also agree that the stock geometry is a very good indicator of where the work was done (e.g., Meriden or Ilion). The Meriden stocks have thinner, more gracefully curved wrists along with more finely fluted noses at the point of the comb; Ilion wood always seems much fuller in the wrist with minimal shaping of the flutes at the nose of the comb, along with the noticeably wider splinter forend contour, where the width is carried further forward into the forend tip in contrast to the much slimmer, more tapered Meriden wood.
|