Trade gun buttplate

[Pete G.]

Having never built one of these things before, I am in a quandary about what to do with a nailed on buttplate. I obviously don't want to leave bare wood underneath, but I also want to contour the stock and buttplate together.

What exactly is the procedure for this?

[Jackie Brown]

I use small screws to hold the buttplate on while shaping.  Then when the finishing is done, you can nail it on.

[gunmaker]

I cut 'em out of 1/16" stock &  leave flat, inlet top return, hold with small screws.  Hammer around the curve with a soft hammer, fit to stock bottom more screws until satisfied with fit.  Seal butt with wood sealer & Take some 8d nails 1" long clamp in vise and massage the heads to look forged out....Tom

[T*O*F]

I obviously don't want to leave bare wood underneath

Why is that "obvious."  This sealing of the wood seems to be a modern thing.  If you really feel the need, just wrap masking tape around the end of the butt, put your sealer on, nail the buttplate on, and file everything in together.  Make sure you pre-drill your nail holes both in the plate and the wood.  Angle the holes slightly toward the center of the wood instead of straight down.  Less chance of splitting that way.

[Pete G.]

I obviously don't want to leave bare wood underneath

Why is that "obvious."  This sealing of the wood seems to be a modern thing.  If you really feel the need, just wrap masking tape around the end of the butt, put your sealer on, nail the buttplate on, and file everything in together.  Make sure you pre-drill your nail holes both in the plate and the wood.  Angle the holes slightly toward the center of the wood instead of straight down.  Less chance of splitting that way.

Well, it seemed obvious to me anyway, but what do I know? I am one of those modern guys.

[Mike Brooks]

I don't seal under trade gun buttplates.