Thats not so bad. I have a Hepburn 25/20SS barrel and forestock that was ground flat on the left side for a scope mount. Along with about six stripped screw holes. They didnt even take the forestock off before they ground it!

Now back to your prize Stevens. Since we're spending your money, I say BUY IT!  

I'm going to bed, and I'll sleep well knowing I just helped you. Goodnight.


                                 Joe.  

To us, today, as collector/shooters, it is a crime.  Taken in context of when it was done, 50 to 80 years ago, it was making a rifle usable for the owner.  Military collectors today cringe at the thought of Pachmayr side mounts on Garands, or Griffen & Howe sporter Springfields.  Looking at the photo, it would take some major work to make the modification disappear, and it's probably not economical to do it today.  That's not to say that should you buy it and repair it, it wouldn't break even or give a profit ten years down the road should you want to sell it.   

David

Aw heck----- its only money.

Dave; That's a 414, 404's were on 44 1/2 actions. I got a set of DST's of Ken Briesen's before he sold to Paul Shuttleworth,,,maybe CPA will sell thier DST's, then;;;you still need a P/G stock, have to repair the fore end then might as well have the barrel relined......PASS.....MIKE

I decided to pass at the $700, but I just checked and it has sold to another person.   

I already have both a long loop lever and a ball and spur, and I can always buy an MVA sight to fit, so not a big loss to me, especially at the price.

It was an interesting conglomeration of parts, anyway. 

dave

the fore arm most likely may have been cut for a removable palm rest!
irish

Hello R. Badger ---

A photo would help our readers identify the severity and extent of the alterations / abuse to which your M-414 was subjected, so maybe later when you get the time try to do that.

The wood alterations, to the extent that they exist, are not particularly difficult to correct.  There are a number of sources for duplicate replacement forearms and/or butt stocks.  My first choice for J.Stevens wood is CPA Rifles in Pennsylvania.

For abandoned screw holes, the solution would be to measure the diameters and thread pitch of each such hole and then purchase what are referred to as "blind screws".  If you already know the term, please excuse me repeating it.  Blind screws have no head, but do have a screw driver slot cut into the shank in order to place the screw even with the metal into which it is inserted.  Of course, the blind screw may be removed at some future time if the need to do so ever occurs. 

If the tapped holes are numerous and of a greater diameter than #10 screw, you may want to confer with your favorite gunsmith for his/her evaluation of the situation, particularly focusing on the strength integrity of the firearm.

The fact the someone has "milled" a section of the action / receiver metal gives me pause for concern which I relate to you for further investigation and assessment by a knowledgeable professional.  The milled (missing) metal was there originally in the original design and is now missing equates, to my way of thinking, to a weakness in the firearm.

Please do not risk your safety, nor the safety of those around you, by shooting a firearm which has been altered inappropriately.  Only an experienced and qualified firearms expert who has the necessary experience in such matters can advise you on the questions and concerns you have asked about on this particular firearm.