Rarely do I come across other makes of rifles that have a compass inletted into the butt stock. It is almost always a post war Savage 99 if it has a compass.

Is this only my impression?

I've seen plenty on other maker's rifles. Sometimes on the top and sometimes on the side. They seem to have gotten popular about the same time as add on recoil pads and Weaver 60-B series scopes.

Yeah, they show up all over the place: Winchester 94s, Remington 141s, etc. The years after the war seem to have been the heyday of do-it-yourself gun "improvement. I'm always amazed how many do it yourself articles showed up in American Rifleman during the late 40s and early 50s.

Rod

Still haven't done anything with my 71 Winchester which has a damaged compass on the right side the butt stock. Had lots of suggestions with one or two that might work. The 71 was mfg in 1937, unknown what year it was inlaid. Thinking about a silver coin dated year of mfg. GW

Or a circular plug of ebony with a classic compass rose (Google it if you don't know what one looks like) inlayed into it. A buddy of mine does compass roses as design motifs in custom marine carpentry. Been thinking of having him do a small one in the center of a cheek piece some time. They turn up on original Pennsylvania long rifles sometimes.

Just brought a 99F home from a gun show. Great blue, good wood, ser.# 9673xx

Boss #9K. Everything good except for swivel studs and the dreaded compass.

It was so pretty and also a 308 cal that I thought I would hunt with, I brought

it home despite the compass. Any kind of wood plug, even by an expert, would

be pretty obvious. Just have to live with it. By the way the compass works.

Bill

That's a pretty F. A really good wood guy could make that compass disappear.

Rod

I had a model 71 with a compass inletted into the comb. Also had a Weaver side mount. To bad the rifle was in great condition otherwise, late 50's vintage.

It is a very pretty F, but wouldn't throw much more money into it since it already has extra holes for the sling studs. Hunt the heck out of it, good pick up.

Appears that the compass rides on top of the stock and is not countersunk at the widest point on it. Likely will unscrew leaving a small hole which will be near unnoticeable after plugging. To nice a gun to not repair the bubba work. GW

My grandfather's Model 94 (1950) has a compass inletted in the stock that was manufactured by The Poly Choke Company....

I visited with a wood guy that thinks he can plug the compass hole. Will post

pictures if it turns out good.

Happy Holidays All

Bill

Don't accept anything but the best work.

WESTERN AUTO
WAS DOING TO SAVAGES's Back in the DAY,
There Was a Post-Thread FROM LES-VIOLATOR, I Have a Few SAVAGES from Late 30's-40 That Have them In it.

Don't Know If WESTERN AUTO sold any Other Brands of Guns

Yeah, they had house branded guns from quite a few manufacturers.

Nice, clean, F. If it were mine, I would keep the compass. It appears to have been expertly installed even though not flush with the stock top line. Unless the removal and restoration is completely seamless and archival, it ain't worth doing IMO. And that level of expert wood restoration is cost prohibitive unless money is no matter.