Repairing a "duffle-bag" cut

Famas · September 19, 2010, 12:10 PM

I've recently acquired a beautiful Mle 1870/80 M.14 Gras rifle. Everything on it is wonderful except for the stock - it is cut into two. I understand a common feature on rifles brought back by G.I.s, that it had to fit in his duffle bag, hence a cut was made on rifle stocks to make it fit.

The cut on this stock is very clean and crisp. When joined, the cut is barely noticeable. My question is this: Is it sufficient to simply glue it back together, or should I try a more elaborate and stronger method, such as drilling one or two tiny holes on both cut ends and insert little dowels then glue it.

Or should I simply leave it alone?

What would you suggest? Thank you for your suggestions.

Crapulence · September 19, 2010, 06:12 PM

I'm not a smith but I have been a carpenter for a couple decades. My input may be out of place here;

Short answer yes , epoxy glue should make a joint that is stronger than the original wood. The problem lies in properly aligning and clamping the two pieces. I think it would be difficult to get adequate pressure without the joint shifting (it would be very hard to get pressure that is perpendicular to the cut). Because of this I would recommend doweling the joint to help align it and make an extremely strong joint. It would be great if you could get 2 dowels in, I don't know how thick the cross section of the cut is. Many woodworking supply stores carry marking caps for dowel joints. Just drill 2 holes in appropriate places on one end and the caps will mark where to drill on the 2nd piece. If this is done well then epoxy may not even be necessary, a glue like TightBond II may suffice.

Jim Watson · September 19, 2010, 06:38 PM

Do you want to shoot it or display it?

I think a duffle bag cut is now part of its history and would hang it on the wall with the cut showing if it is to be a display piece.

If you wish to shoot it, peg and glue it as described.

I would say to put it in a new stock but I doubt there are many of those available.

Slamfire · September 19, 2010, 06:44 PM

On a M1924 Yugo, I used an aluminum channel and inletted the interior of the stock so that would fit. That allowed me to keep the cleaning rod on the rifle. The channel was about 2" long, not much.

Used Brownell's Acuraglas gell on that and the butt ends of the forend and stock. Hid the joint under the lower band and it worked well.

September 19, 2010, 12:10 PM	#1
Famas Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: French, currently living in US Posts: 164	Repairing a "duffle-bag" cut I've recently acquired a beautiful Mle 1870/80 M.14 Gras rifle. Everything on it is wonderful except for the stock - it is cut into two. I understand a common feature on rifles brought back by G.I.s, that it had to fit in his duffle bag, hence a cut was made on rifle stocks to make it fit. The cut on this stock is very clean and crisp. When joined, the cut is barely noticeable. My question is this: Is it sufficient to simply glue it back together, or should I try a more elaborate and stronger method, such as drilling one or two tiny holes on both cut ends and insert little dowels then glue it. Or should I simply leave it alone? What would you suggest? Thank you for your suggestions.

September 19, 2010, 06:44 PM	#4
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	On a M1924 Yugo, I used an aluminum channel and inletted the interior of the stock so that would fit. That allowed me to keep the cleaning rod on the rifle. The channel was about 2" long, not much. Used Brownell's Acuraglas gell on that and the butt ends of the forend and stock. Hid the joint under the lower band and it worked well. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

September 19, 2010, 06:12 PM	#2
Crapulence Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Manly Flower Mound Texas Posts: 126	I'm not a smith but I have been a carpenter for a couple decades. My input may be out of place here; Short answer yes , epoxy glue should make a joint that is stronger than the original wood. The problem lies in properly aligning and clamping the two pieces. I think it would be difficult to get adequate pressure without the joint shifting (it would be very hard to get pressure that is perpendicular to the cut). Because of this I would recommend doweling the joint to help align it and make an extremely strong joint. It would be great if you could get 2 dowels in, I don't know how thick the cross section of the cut is. Many woodworking supply stores carry marking caps for dowel joints. Just drill 2 holes in appropriate places on one end and the caps will mark where to drill on the 2nd piece. If this is done well then epoxy may not even be necessary, a glue like TightBond II may suffice.

September 19, 2010, 06:38 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,164	Do you want to shoot it or display it? I think a duffle bag cut is now part of its history and would hang it on the wall with the cut showing if it is to be a display piece. If you wish to shoot it, peg and glue it as described. I would say to put it in a new stock but I doubt there are many of those available.