board stock question

[Big Norm]

To all,
sometimes when an original stock got broken, the owner would put the original iron on a repro wood. Most of us also have seen where an artillery stock iron was numbered and also had proof marks on the wood. But the wood just didn't look right. There were comments on this forum about it and it was concluded that the stock in question was a repro because the wood looked too newish and that the proofs were too crisp. Also confounding the situation is that in the latter part of WW1, the quality of workmanship deteriorated and you will find some serial numbers on the stocks neck and not on the iron. If my memory serves me right, John Walter in his book 'The Luger Book', has a picture of such a stock.

My conclusion is that there is sometimes a judgement call as to whether or not a stock is original or original enough. Look at the wood and compare it to known origial stocks for the proper aging. Look at the serial numbers. Are they the proper size and style? And on and on. But it is hard to pass on a stock that is proofed and also has the serial number of a Luger that you own.
Big Norm