Sorry, I forgot to post I soaked it in acetone for three days. When I took it out it seemed to have dark areas still, so I put it back in for two more days. Pretty much no change after the second bath. I don't think it is oil since this is an area that is open on both sides (It is by the cut out for the upper tang)and there are a few small spots scattered around the sides of the large area of the stock. As an aside, the butt end of the stock has grown almost 1/4" from the soaking. Any further thoughts on the dark grey almost black spots?
BTW, this is the most expensive gun, G grade (when it was new) that I have worked on and I must say that the quality of the wood and the workmanship is substantially better than the Ithaca Flues I have worked on including a 1 1/2 grade. I like to checker before working on the stock so I don't lose the lines and the smoothness in cutting this is a real pleasure. I wonder if this is usual in higher grades?
