Good result last week, I found an old Auto5 in my local firearm dealer that was on the scrap heap. It was a complete receiver (no barrel) that according to the owner he had shot previously so was working OK. His plan was to keep it for spares but with my negotiation I managed to buy if for 35 pounds, and I'll strip it down and keep it for spares for my 1930 Auto5. It has a reasonable stock on it which I thought I might strip down and refinish, its a prince of wales type with a heavy dark varnish but no chequering at all. It also has a small metal part at the wrist which I wonder means that its been pinned but I cant see any damage or crack in the wood. I am not sure what it is and wondered if anyone could help ID the small metal discs and perhaps give me a any pointers on the originality or age of the stock. Picture below, sorry there not great as my phone is a bit poor! Thanks as always guys for any help or advice you may be able to offer!
If it wasn't lost during the "refinishing", the serial number should be stamped in the slot for the lower tang. It's probably original to the gun. As for the disk, if it's not part of a repair it could be for ease of identification. I see that a lot on British military rifles.
Took it off, the metal is a pin holding the wrist together, as the stock is broken. It was so badly oil damaged that it literally fell apart so has now ended up in the trash. Not a problem as I bought the gun for spares and I dont need another wooden stock at the moment!
