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Straight stock mystery


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This straight stock came from Merles basement.  What/where do you think this originates?  Its not newly made, and its not an altered gi stock.  The condition of the finish seems to match gi age stocks.20240229_163012.jpg20240229_163216.jpg20240229_163405.jpg20240229_163415.jpg20240229_163426.jpg

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It appears to me Merle was attempting to make a short butt stock in the Model of 1923 style. The Butt Stock Slide is early Savage - see the 557 Assembly Number. The swirl pattern on the Catch Button is interesting on the repaired Butt Stock Catch. It appears similar to a Model of 1919 Catch Button. Another Merle product? I would guess the WWII butt plate has been fitted at the toe end for the shortened butt stock. This butt stock may be perfect for a smaller male or female shooter. Perhaps an unfinish custom product for a customer.  

Thank you for sharing.

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Not all of the known surviving Model of 1923 development project Thompson guns have this type of straight butt stock at the comb. But the few that do all have sling swivels as far as I can tell with known pictures. Perhaps this is a Doug Richardson project that went to Merle. While I cannot discount the provenance of the wood butt stock, I feel certain the stock slide assembly and butt plate were not made at Remington Arms in 1921/22 for the Colt guns. 

I would like to see how it works with shooters who need a shorter butt stock. Is it for sale?

All good stuff!!!

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Dan,

When I first saw the butt stock, I wondered if it was one you made for Merle :)

Your reproduction Thompson stocks are the best! 

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Neither the front end cut out or the rear should plate areas are machine jig cut. They both look to me to be cut with a hand router (not something you would find in the 20's) Also the wood is too clean under the front plate area. So it looks to me like a newer made stock that has been stained to look old.

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