Repairing a Springfield 1903 Stock

[@AndyRawls]

I just want to say that I am not a gunsmith, I'm a furniture maker by trade but I really enjoy working on gunstocks; since posting this video I've received several comments on the need for reinforcing the crack. I've argued that the epoxy will hold, it has a tensile strength of 7700psi (stated on TotalBoats website). Because of all the variables involved, I know I can't rely on that number being completely accurate in this scenario but I'm confident if I put enough stress on the stock it would not fail on the crack but split in a new spot. This is the case with any good glue joint, a properly executed joint is always stronger than the wood. With all that said, I've put some thought into it and I could see how over a long period of time if the stock is not properly cared for the joint could weaken. This would happen mostly from wood movement. I'll set aside pride and say reinforcing is a good idea for longterm strength and as I’ve discovered common practice among expert gunsmiths. Enough said...thanks for tuning in and thanks for all the comment!! In life you can never stop learning.

[@josiahbrunette6030]

So true you really can never stop learning, despite the missing reinforcement you did excellent job hiding that repair it looks better than some professional gunsmith's repairs. If you haven't already you should totally check out Mark Novak's KZbin channel he has great tips and tricks on gunstock repairs, I've learned more from his KZbin videos than my lessons on gunstock repairs in school 😂

[@derekgarland6480]

Mr. Brunette you took the words from my mouth. +1 on Anvil channel Mr. Novak is a good teacher as well as this Gentleman here. Let’s all continue to learn from one another. Thank you all for sharing this information.

[@OutontheRanchwithDrLee-xb4lo]

Wow! That really came out nicely, Andy! And, what a great feeling to bring a broken piece of history back to life! Great video!!!

[@EveryDayGuyStuff]

I'm so glad this got done. When he asked me who could fix it, you were the first person I thought of. Hope you're well buddy!

[@wes_d]

Was not optimistic about how it was going to look early in the video, but pleasantly surprised by the final results. Excellent work!

[@MrTodd51]

A very nice job. You did as good a job as possible. It was a broken stock and nothing can change that but your repair makes it a nice collectable again. I hope your customer is satisfied.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Nice work. When I was in Navy boot camp in 1970 we used 03 Springfields as drill pieces. One day while practicing the manual of arms, as I went to right shoulder arms the stock of my piece snapped in half just like the stock you worked on.

[@TheducksOrg]

your fine work with that giant spray gun was really impressive!

[@mshafer2006]

It is awesome that you take so much time and detail on your videos and always love when you do rifle stock videos. Especially this one the 1903 Springfield is such an iconic firearm of the United States.

[@perrypappous1550]

Excellent work! The crack is barely noticeable, and you got a good shine to it.

[@jjackson8667]

Brings back memories. When I entered USN Boot Camp at Naval Training Center San Diego in 1970, we were all issued Springfield '03 as our personal "piece"(training rifle that didn't shoot) that we marched and drilled with during our entire three months there until we graduated. I have no idea what they use now. Nice job on the stock Andy.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Same for me at Great Lakes in 1970.

[@donaldtrabeaux5235]

Andy you couldn't ask for a better fix than what you have done it is stunning finish

[@TheRaulr151]

Wow. Where that stock was and where you finished is amazing. Great job!

[@whisky1975]

That was amazing. Superb work mate. Looks freaking amazing

[@DroneMaverick]

I love how the stock looks perfectly restored! Very cool video!

[@johna.9742]

I have been using total boat for filling in knots and other defects on my farm table tops made from rustic walnut. I add a black dye to the epoxy and the end results is really great looking. Easy to use and gives me the ability to use some fairly rustic walnut wood and still end up with a smooth table top that really pops after I apply 4 or 5 coats of General finish satin. I learned this from you and the Third Coast Craftsmen KZbin videos. Thanks.

[@johngiromini5745]

Dang, Andy! That is a very commendable repair. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@bradalden6520]

Fantastic repair on a such an old piece! I really enjoyed the techniques you used. Thanks for sharing!

[@sgtsandman7692]

That did come out nice. I doubt Mark Novak (gunsmith) could make it look nicer. He has done quite a few stock repair videos where he reinforced break joints. I can't remember if he had to do so with a break like what you are doing with. It might be worth your while to check out some of the work he has recorded. That being said, I doubt he would be able to build furniture like you do. So, wood working dealing with the territory that is your prime profession. Again, nice work.

[@FAMAWoodworking]

Great result, perfect! It's almost impossible to see where it was broken.

[@woodworkservice-com]

Nice. Restoration really is just a balance of patience, perseverance and knowing just how far to take the finish.

[@bgc51765]

Nice repair. That is an unusual break. Usually old stocks start cracking at the top of the tang where the recoil forces are channeled rather than from underneath.

[@ot9180]

Very nice work, patience, diligence paid off. Thanks for sharing!

[@gregfulcher9695]

A true artist at work. Fascinating.

[@deniseallen-blake2557]

You did a phenomenal job. You have very special gift and are extremely talented.

[@sethwalker6284]

That repair turned out AMAZING!! The seam was nearly invisible. Will the epoxy be able to hold up to the force of the recoil? And what caliber is it? Excellent video, as always, Mr. Rawls!

[@101stsurvivor]

No it wouldn't withstand shooting, a proper repair for this would be reinforcing the inside with a threaded rod. Recoil imparts incredible stresses on these old stocks. This is a cosmetic repair only. The Springfield 1903 is chambered in 30-06.

[@WayneRite758]

I agree with DrMilkPillows, the repair will fail eventually with shooting. A better epoxy that is already thick like cream cheese is Acraglas Gel which is sold by Brownells. To absorb the shock of shooting, some type of rod needs to be anchored in the wood to hold the two pieces together. That said, Andy did a great cosmetic restore.

[@mauriceryton]

That was awesome, excellent repair. These odd jobs like this are fun to do.

[@TotalBoat]

Awesome repair, Andy! It came out great!!

[@AndyRawls]

Thanks guys!!

[@lewshoemaker7802]

You did a great job of covering the glue joint. Do you think the glue joint is strong enough to withstand the recoil of shooting a 30-06?

[@provenancemachining]

I know it would probably be way too much of an undertaking while trying to run your own business, but since Matt Schuster from Ironwood Designs passed away, there is quite literally no one left to make some of the more difficult to acquire rifle stocks; Chinese AK stocks in particular. It looks like the company is looking for a carpenter to carry on his work. He was a one man operation with only a few logistics guys at best, whatever knowledge he had went with him, sadly. You are clearly skilled in what you do, hell I'd trust a furniture maker over a random gunsmith in making epairing a rifle stock any day of the week. 👍

[@tomfursdon6120]

Awesome video Andy. tricky restoration that spraying method you had was brilliant

[@simonr6793]

Andy that is going to be one unbelievable happy customer!!! As always buddy 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.

[@MCsCreations]

Really amazing work, Andy! It looks beautiful! 😃 Really well done!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@jbratt]

Nice Job 👍. That is one of those jobs that is really easy to make a mess😀. My dad brought back one of those from WWII. I am no gun expert but I think it was common to cut the stock down on the barrel. I am not sure why but my dad had done it on the one that sits in our case.

[@Donorcyclist]

Very strong German influence. Spent a week there during the Rita idiocy and really liked the area. Being of German descent (1st gen), I got a kick out of your Blumen Meister. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@alessandromorichetti8794]

👏 from Italy. Great job Andy!

[@mikes1097]

Excellenmt work! My ionly question or suggestion is should you have put a few hidden pins in the stock so that you are not relying on only the exposy to keep the stock from sliding under recoil?

[@larrybud]

You should try using a straight razor blade as a card scraper for more delicate procedures. Run the blade at a 45* angle on some 1000+ grit paper to raise a burr on the opposite side, then use the burr to scrape. Discovered this process when doing a DIY paint job on my car 20 years ago to scrape out runs.

[@mikemccollum4521]

Your repair looks great. Do you believe it will function during firing?

[@RatelLaw]

Looks great. Outstanding job. Your videos are always interesting and always informative. Thank you.

[@Graeme408]

Very helpful. I use West System GFlex because it is very slightly flexible and forgiving where temperatures in the winter can get a little unforgiving.

[@TheCatanzaroShop]

Awesome result Andy! What a great repair

[@DavidMN-]

Beautiful restoration!

[@nickr9784]

Instead of using the wood dust can you use the Trans Tint directly in the epoxy? I have almost the identical repair I need to make on a old Cooey 22lr

[@hebes4056]

Great work! What a great repair

[@marcus.r7469]

Looks amazing your are truely amazing at your craft. Good Job Andy👍

[@sibat777]

A question and an idea. Q would that be strong enough to shoot the gun or only for display. I when I went on a course about making a longbow with thre laminated wood the guy used strips of inner tube stretched really tight and wrapped like a bandage, this provided a uniform and strong clamping force across the entire length of the glue joints, thought you might have a use for this method, tip it took two people to stretch and wrap the rubber to get a good bond. Nice job on the repair.

[@rodpotts2666]

Good job Jeff.

[@ApexWoodworks]

Terrific restoration job, Andy! You're getting really adept at using your Fuji Spray MPX-30 compressor spray gun aren't you?!

[@davidsims1329]

Great job Andy

[@richxts1357]

You are a Wood Wizard! Great job!

[@alanincardona1879]

That kind of damage can't be totally hidden. Having said that, you did a nice job.

[@SeawardPuppy]

This but without commentary! 👌

[@austinmooney]

Awesome job Andy! This would be a cool stock to replicate!

[@AndyRawls]

It would be really cool to replicate!! Thanks

[@PaletoB]

I got some help from a guy who restor old furniture to stain a repair I did on my old marlin. Swedish walnut didn't match well with American but he got it so good I sometimes forget it's a repair.

[@MJ-nb1qn]

Very Nice! Curious if there is a good story on how the stock got broken? Thanks!

[@robshamel3210]

Great job and patience!

[@scaira60]

Andy good job, I have a tip for you IDK if you have ever done this instead of the card scraper you can use a single edge razor blade with scotch tape covering the portion of the blade that you do not want to hit the wood. Also I have had good luck useing vinyl stripping tape (pin strippers) use it it can be left on & the epoxy will not stick to it. God Bless 🙏🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸👨🏻‍🦯

[@williamellis8993]

Great job, Andy!

[@umakantmohorikar8630]

Grate work you done sir I like it very much, you save rifle butt true gun lovers

[@brucelarson4659]

Amazing repair

[@keefer88]

looks great man, good job.

[@ksross08]

Beautiful Repair!!!

[@davidyoung353]

Andy, does the bac wiping stain work more like a dye were you can build up color with layers or is it more like a regular oil based stain that the wood grabs what ever it will?

[@BoxcarJerry]

Nice job Andy , I need to pick up some of the Silica thickener .

[@beewithay6226]

Looks great, nice work!

[@MrHoglegjack]

what happened with the stock you were gonna redo for demo ranch..

[@ToothDoctorBGKY]

How strong is that connection now with just epoxy? Is it actually stronger now than it was before? Just curious!! Great video as always.

[@tomlagatol4448]

Good Fix….Enjoyed the vid Andy….Thanks

[@ffield12]

Great Job Andy 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@marknielsen2482]

Very nice work

[@herrcobblermachen]

Holy smokes! id be proud to own that

[@b3ardedbarbarian]

Great repair!

[@thiggy1249]

great repair!

[@eggycat]

Nice blend.

[@johnkelly6942]

Nice repair!

[@willhikearizona]

Amazing job!

[@daveperkins2927]

Awesome job.

[@Syrkyth]

Nice! If the gun is going back to being in service instead of a wall hanger the owner might want to have an entirely new stock made for it to swap out. Epoxy is great but repeated shock from even casual shooting (especially if it's a later model) may see it back in pieces again.

[@terrysaunders2026]

@Syrkyth: you actually don’t have to “have one made up.” There are several sources for nice modern reproductions, such as the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), for starters. I think Boyd’s Stocks has them. There are sources in the pages of Firearms News as well.

[@terrysaunders2026]

I hate to see “Sporterized” military surplus rifles. I scour gunshows looking for proper stocks to restore them when I can find them.

[@jjs811]

Looks great!!

[@oldmanfred8676]

Would have liked to see the rifle together?

[@JimG31547]

Great job

[@rockindel1]

wow nice work

[@pessiman8960]

First time I've seen that done without drywall screws and baling wire..

[@michaelkaminsky9914]

Should have re enforced the joint with threaded rods. Would hold up well under recoil

[@Sundlofmusicalengineering]

Great stuff 😊

[@elihedden6052]

I’d love to hear a follow up of the story of this rifle. Dudes great or grandad might have brought it home from the trenches. Or he could just be another great Texan with a love for us service rifles.

[@AndyRawls]

Unfortunately it’s not that exciting, he purchased it off an auction with the broken stock. I did spend some time with him in my shop talking about his childhood in Germany during WWII. He had some very interesting stories there.

[@Myrkskog]

A small suggestion for you: grind an old chisel at 90 degrees, ideally ground upside down in relation to the rotation of a grinding wheel. The hard 90 will basically act like a scraper, but with greater control. Check out Bill Carter, hand plane master, for greater detail. "Blunt Chisel Technique" is the video name. You can scrape up, down or across the grain with no trouble.

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@jimthesoundman8641]

I want to hear the story of how this broke in the first place.

[@CallofBooty503]

I hunted with one of those for many years. I figured you have to run over it with a tank to crack that monster.

[@marcellusdiocletian2487]

The same thing just happened to my 1903 it sucks

[@rockybrumley1693]

Looks nice but I wouldn’t shoot it. Epoxy can’t take the recoil from a 30.06. I would have added some screws from one half into the other half.

[@larrykelly2838]

Nice job

[@spazmcgillacutty]

Super nice work man! You made it look easy. I still don't have the "testicular fortitude" to try to fix mine. It has a small missing piece and every time I look at it I shrug and think... Nope. Not gonna try. Haha

[@Sman7290]

Send it my way. I'll put it back together.

[@curm1778]

good job

[@سجوديشاكر-ت5ن]

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ مبدع استمر

[@aaronmccully]

Love it!

[@jimcooney9019]

good one

[@davecurda2350]

Great job it’s almost invisible.

[@dylansousa5571]

Good video

[@normsutton1485]

its not saw dust , its called wood flour