830singleshot wrote on Feb 19^th, 2025 at 1:20pm:


The off center through bolt hole used to be pretty common from sources that built Ballard stocks. I think it was a case of the people making them trying to push their long drill bits too hard when drilling the stocks. If it's pushed slowly and backed out to clear the bits it shouldn't be an issue.
I got my first Ballard stock from George at Treebone and he dreaded the task when I called to order the stocks. He told me he hated drilling those through bolt holes, and it was off center when it came. Not horribly, but probably 1/8" off, which made one side of the wrist lower than the receiver when I test fitted it. Had to use a rat tail round file and work it from both ends until it finally moved over. Then I covered the tang on my action with tape, and applied release agent before bedding it. Once it set up I removed the stock and release agent and it was great. And his semi inletted stocks have always been so nicely smooth that they can usually go direct to sanding and not need a bunch of heavy work to bring them into shape.

Schuetzendave wrote on Feb 20^th, 2025 at 6:56pm:


Back when George began doing stocks for Marlin lever action rifles he asked if I might loan him a stock set for an 1881 straight grip and pistol grip? I sent him stocks from my rifles and he made copies. But he also discovered a small crack beginning at the lower buttplate screw of my high grade straight grip stock which he repaired with a hidden pin and some glue. So I got my stocks back in better shape than when I sent them, plus one set of his semi inletted stocks for each rifle as a thank you gift. I still have the stocks as I've not bought a 1881 that ever needed new wood.
Really sad that the stupid laws prevent many gun parts that we need to not go either way across the border now. Especially not serial numbered parts. Just ridiculous.