Well, I ordered a repro butt plate several weeks ago, drilled out and plugged the existing holes in the stock, and ground away much of the butt plate. I am almost done. Looking quite good, far better than the poorly-fitted recoil pad that had been on the stock.

Question: The butt plate as received is shiny black, rather nice. Where I have worked it, it is a dull, flat black. I'd like to match the sheen, if possible. Is this a question of using ever finer sand paper, a chemical treatment, or heat? Or is that just the way it is?