Question on stock made of two pieces

[raidergson]

Greetings,

I have a original carbine highwood stock that appears to be made of two different pieces of wood. At first I thought that the stock was cracked, and I was pretty upset, but then, I noticed that the grain of the wood was opposite on either side of the line. This line starts at the butt and runs to the pistol grip. At some spots it is almost impossible to see. The stock is Underwood, and the cartouche is stamped upside down directly over the seam
after joining. For a better understanding, this stock resembles the two piece Arisaka stocks, but it has much better craftsmanship. The time period of this stock is early 1944. I have more information, but I do not want to disclose all of it now. Let the experts vioce their opinions.

[jimb]

Two piece carbine stocks are extremely uncommon. There are a few floating around, but not many. Pictures would be appreciated.

[Tuna]

During the perceived walnut shortage stocks that had been rejected where reclaimed so as to not slow down production. This would account for your two piece stock and as Jim said they are not common at all as it wasn't long before they started using woods like Cherry and Birch. Then later Walnut became available again.

[raidergson]

Maybe this weekend, I will did into my safe and pull out the carbine that this stock is on. I will try to post some pics. As for now, I bought this carbine from a known old collection in which one of the local dealers received over 50 carbines for consignment. Some were restored, but many looked original. I bought as many as the pocketbook would allow. The carbine with the two piece stock looks to be an original almost mint Underwood from early 1944.
the test pricks on the receiver and bolt look identical and were done after finish. It has three "ordnace bomb" stamps look perfectly burnished with some shine left to them. It has the type 2 highwood stock, flip sight, and a push-button safety. The overall color is that light almost transparent geen gray finish that Underwoods exhibit. I know that there are some true experts on this forum, and I would like to see if my carbine is straight. As for the stock, does anyone know what period the so called walnut shortage happened in. In early '44 the war effort was at full steam, so maybe this was a short cut method for this carbine. Did they use glue or pins. I never did see pin holes if I can remember. And lastly, if this carbine is original, will the stock hurt or help its collector value? Of course, in my opinion, I think it would be lucky rare find. Thanks.

[ordnance]

Glad to see this question posted as I have been meaning to ask the same question for several weeks. Just too rainy/lazy to get the stock out to photograph before now.

My 2-pc stock is on a later Inland with a 5,400,000 range SN. I've owned it for years and didn't even remember the odd stock until getting out a few months back and noticing I seemed to have an Arisaka stocked M1 carbine in the collection. It is a low wood stock and seems like a normal Inland stock execpt for the lower half of the butt. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

Rick

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklarson/gunparts/large/PICT0770.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklarson/gunparts/large/PICT0771.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/ricklarson/gunparts/large/PICT0772.jpg

[wtmr]

that is the largest 2nd piece I have seen, I had a rockola stock that had 1'' on the toe and have a RSG that has 1/4" added to top around recoil plate tang area

[jimb]

I've seen one other that had a larger second piece. Usually they are just the lower part of the butt.

[phil441]

[QUOTE=ordnance;46099]
My 2-pc stock is on a later Inland with a 5,400,000 range SN. I've owned it for years and didn't even remember the odd stock until getting out a few months back and noticing I seemed to have an Arisaka stocked M1 carbine in the collection. It is a low wood stock and seems like a normal Inland stock execpt for the lower half of the butt. Any more information would be greatly appreciated.

Rick/QUOTE]

A novice here, but how did you determine the stock was Arisaka? What are the markings??
Thanks

[DeWayne Hayes]

He was joking about it being Arisaka ... Japanese Arisakas had two-piece butt jointed stocks.

This reminds me of the International Harvester Garand stocks (which were manufactured by S.E. Overton Co.) that had "half moon" pieces of wood inlaid into the buttstock, where the buttplate goes. I once had one with three big half moons. The understanding was that Overton received DOD permission to salvage some damaged stocks (milling chatter or who knows what?) by using inlaid plugs. Kind of neat. I had no idea Carbine stocks were salvaged in a similar manner.

By the way, the Inland stock pictured above was made by Overton, so apparently, Overton was adept at these jointed repairs.

DeWayne

[phil441]

Talk about feeling like a total idiot,.........
I dug my arisaka out of the safe and lo and behold...... made exactly like that one. It's amazing how many years one can look at something without having anything so obvious register. Duh!