Posted by SGT on August 30, 2007, 5:21 pm, in reply to "Re: two forends"
Those cracks you refer to run along the screw channels(located at the base of the fore iron) that secure the base of the iron to the splinter on ejector guns. They are the result of someone trying to force the forend onto the gun with the hammers in the fired position. Once this occurs, the anchor screws are forever loose to some degree, and the cracks will become more and more unsightly as oil and dirt seep in and darken same. Although you will notice some "give" around these cracks everytime you attach this iron, you can continue to use the iron as it is for some unknown period of time; but it will eventually become serious to the point that it will demand attention. If it were mine, I would have it properly repaired now with judicious use of epoxy compounds to insure the condition did not deterioate further. If there is not much oil/grease staining in the wood around those cracks at this time, a professional stock man can perform an invisible and permanent repair. Good luck.