"The Gun That Speaks for Itself"

 
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
   by Dr. Drew Hause

 

Are Smith stocks predisposed to cracks?

Cracks at the apex of the lockplate inlet start at the head of the stock which has relatively little wood surface area to absorb/transmit the recoil forces compared to these American boxlocks:
 
Parker
Fox ready for a staple repair
New Ithaca Double

Baker sidelock

Crescent sidelock
 
Oil soaking also contributes
 
This could be considered a design flaw, but keep in mind that the design dates to 1883 and 1886, and can be rectified by glasbedding.