Sorry to hear bout your friends cracked stock. My favorite SxS is my 16 NID that was made in 1947. I have quite a few NID's marked with the "F" and yeap it means fiel grade. $1,000 for an older NID 16! wow, thats something. My favorite 16 must be worth way more that what I give back when. Think I'd throw up a complaint to the seller as that gun sounds kinda rough shape to me. I don't mind some work on an older gun but I frown on stocks with busted up wrists and the fact it was not called out in the description. I wish your pal good luck with it and my he enjoy it.
