I recently bought a Baker Black Beauty Model in 12 gauge at auction. It was bit beat up with some fine cracks in the wrist area, a chip at the toe, five notches cut in just behind the grip and a few light dents in the tubes. So far, I have removed the dents and fixed the numerous fine cracks in the wrist which is the reason for this post to begin with. While doing the repairs, I couldn't help but notice how little wood is there to to take the force of the recoil and it is no wonder the stock got so busted up. I've seen stocks busted up like this on hardware store type sidelock doubles too. Is it the same with higher quality sidelocks? I realize that precise fitting/inletting of the stock is quite critical to the ability of the stock to last but there is still going to be little wood in that area to absorb the shock, high quality or not. I imagine that the quality of the wood plays a part in this as well.
