Well, the NID sure isn't a gun I know much about. But if said buddy had WANTED the gun boxed back up, I 'woulda done so.

But, he likes it.

Now, as to repairs to cracked wood, I've seen some jobs done by experts (not you, jOe) that defy detection-David T has had photos of a few here that are superlative. It can be done.

In this case, it won't be-just a good repair to put it back into the field.

As to "not as good as a gun that is not cracked" well, you are simply full of pooh, jOe. Many are the prepubescent junior high school girls who understand that a correctly done glue joint is stronger than the wood around it-they paid attention in wood shop. Did you?

I suppose resale might be a concern, excepting the fact said friend has never sold a gun he bought. He has no intention of selling any, either. His guns are very much like the 1967 Pontiac GTO he purchased for $700 in 1979, and has to this day. Yes, people laughed at him for buying that gas hog when you couldn't even get fuel back then, but, lets just say, he is laughing a bit today, inspite of the fact he never intends to sell the car. I am not privledged as to exactly what "speaks" to him about this gun, but, it would seem it does.

I do know he prefers to hunt with guns that have been hunted before, and so much the better if they have the scars to prove it, especially if his ancesters put a few of the scars in them. He would simply NEVER refinish dad's or grandpa's old guns, and is quite happy they aren't "mint, collectable" examples. Perhaps the memories of some of the hunting with his kin are more valuable then percent of condition left on the guns they used.

Takes all kinds, I guess. Oh yea, he is infatuated with the 16 gauge loading as well. He has been looking for a NID 16 for a while.

Anyway, just to make you happy (not) I did offer up that we could return it, and look about for another. He politely declined. Said he would speak to the seller a bit on monday about a repair adjustment. Asked for Kearcher's phone number. Thanked me.

Like Thorny said, that is what it is all about.
Best,
Ted