Another factor could be if the inletted wood was sealed. This could prevent not only wood shrinkage, but oil soaking as well. Using a sealer, and possibly bedding the action appears to be fairly standard during restoration.

It might be tough to come up with a reliable answer as far as design, since all designs are subject to problems if the wood softens and/or shrinks.

Last edited by Ken61; 12/27/14 05:48 PM.
I prefer wood to plastic, leather to nylon, waxed cotton to Gore-Tex, and split bamboo to graphite.