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Lawman Photos would help. In any case, unless the wood is badly split at a "strategic" part such as around the pistol grip, which is apparently not the case, I would have the stock professionally refinished i.e. wood cleaning, dings & dongs repaired, checkering refreshed and new oil polish. If your existing stock is in good working condition, having a new bespoke stock made won't IMHO make any sense unless, for example, you would require a longer length of pull, and the cost for this new made-to-measure stock would exceed the rifle's value. The (lucky) owner of a classic Ford Mustang with dented bodywork and paint in poor condition would have the car restored to its former glory so why not offering that "face lifting" to your faithful M.1903? Louis
I agree with Louis.
We often rave about the wonderful restorations and recreations of Joel Dorleac. And rightfully so. Such a rifle as yours might turn out into another masterpiece with a master such as Joel working on it.
I personally would be happy to leave and use the rifle as is. And probably would leave it as is.
OR have it restored by a master as well.
It is your rifle. And unless a particularly rare and hard to find example of the model and make, I don't see an issue if restored in a sympathetic manner. I don't see the need at all for a new stock so the old dented one is not retouched.
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