Stretching Krag Forearm

[Grenadier]

I have repaired duffle cuts in the past but I have never "stretched" a cut down stock with a new piece. I am at the point now that I need to mate up the two pieces and attempt to refinish old walnut to match new walnut. My plan is to install a piece of dowel rod as a sort of splint in the lightening grooves between the original stock and the new forearm.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

[Drydock]

In matching hanguards, one or two coatings of BLO were enough.  To my knowledge US stocks were simply dipped/soaked in Linseed oil  Stocks that appear nearly black probably need a good cleaning first.

[Niederlander]

I have repaired duffle cuts in the past but I have never "stretched" a cut down stock with a new piece. I am at the point now that I need to mate up the two pieces and attempt to refinish old walnut to match new walnut. My plan is to install a piece of dowel rod as a sort of splint in the lightening grooves between the original stock and the new forearm.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated.

See if Charles Isaac could help you.  He has rehabbed quite a few Krags, including replacing forends.

[Grenadier]

Drydock, unfortunately this stock had been painted several times with heavy white enamel paint over the years. I assume it was used for parade duty with VFW, American Legion or even high school drill teams. It has been very professionally shortened to the same length as a 1903 with the barrel cut back and having a 1903 sight installed. The bore was shot and I procured a full length original and had it installed.

I have the original and correct handguard and have removed 99.9% of the paint from it and the stock, now to match the forearm as best as I can.

[Drydock]

Hoo boy!  That's a job you have there!   

[Niederlander]

That does indeed sound like a project.........

[Grenadier]

The project is nearly complete. It has been rebarreled already and I have removed the paint, after many hours of using stripper and razor blades to gently scrape away Satan's Enamel paint. There are still minute bits of paint here and there stuck in the grain. All I need to do now is graft the forearm and finish the stock. Looking for ideas or suggestions on grafting methods.

[Niederlander]

I believe Charles Isaac uses steel rods.  I'm going to try the same method to put a nose piece on an 1870 carbine.

[Grenadier]

I believe Charles Isaac uses steel rods.  I'm going to try the same method to put a nose piece on an 1870 carbine.

I thought about using a section of thread-all so the glue would have something to "bite" and hold much more secure.

[Niederlander]

Great idea!