Jim,
I had one shotgun that somebody carved the initial D (for Duma$$ I suppose). This initial was about 3"-4" and appeared deep. I sanded it out using a block sander to take down the entire surface and not "cup" the wood in the area of the initial. It looked great when I was done and the only way you could tell was that the plastic buttplate had a thinner border around the edge on one side.
Steve

Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)