What could have caused this?

[Roadkingtrax]

This looks like more then poor stock fit...missing bushing perhaps? Not bashing the stock, just looking for a little hypothesis discussion.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216032174

[Darreld Walton]

Maybe one too many rifle grenades in that pinned stock? Otherwise, I'd have to guess someone got pissed off and threw it, or fell on it. I've repaired more than a few with damage like that when a horse went over on a rifle in the scabbard.

[gump]

Wood has inherent weak spots. Some percentage of wood stocks will just crack without much outside influence. My guess would be a stock with a weak strata that eventually cracked due to normal use and recoil. Even top quality, old school Walnut is not immune from natural defects.

[Mike D]

Drill rifle stock, maybe.

[Sunray]

Recoil will do that over time. Wood dries out over time, no matter what you do to it.

[Maj Dad]

For the sake of discussion, how amenable is a crack like that to repair and subsequent use with glue/screws? Looks like it would be relatively easy to get a good strong glue (Gorilla, etc) into the crack, wide as it is, clamp it and maybe set some brass screws to seal the deal.

[gump]

The way it gaps open at rest isn't a good sign. Either it's warped significantly or a lot of dirt and junk have gotten wedged down in there. It would be very fixable, but it might require opening the crack toward the handle the rest of the way first. Cleaning all the dirt and oil out of the inside surfaces so it will take an adhesive. A clean crack in good walnut will be invisible if it's repaired correctly. If I had just spent $23 on it that's what I'd do.. split it all the way into to halves, clean the surfaces really well and test fit it back together until you get it perfect. Then just a good adhesive... probably epoxy... clamp it up and let it dry well.. screws would not be necessary.

[chuckindenver]

that stock is firewood, the recoil plate behind the recoil lug is likely trashed.

[Ken The Kanuck]

2 very nice crib boards.

KTK

[Doug Douglass]

Drill rifle stock, maybe.

Looks like it to me, I broke a few myself