Hi, the gouge occurred on shipping. Both boxes are penetrated right at the point of damage on the stock forend. The Priority Mail package was insured, but would probably only cover the cost for a new stock, at best. The trouble is that all the original metal parts may not fit the new stock well. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. As a side note, before I saw the damage to the boxes, I emailed Traditions about the gouge. They were very responsive and said that they would take care of my problem. Of course that was before I discovered that the damage occurred in shipping and it wasn't Traditions fault.
I will try raising the gouge with a wet towel and hot iron. Any remaining hole will be filled with walnut colored wood filler and then locally finished with Tru-Oil. I'll just think of this project as a gun kit. lol
The 1853 Enfield was disassembled to inspect all the parts. The bluing on the barrel of this rifle is the most beautiful bluing I have ever seen. All the other parts are well made and finished. I was skeptical going with Traditions with this rifle, but Traditions 1853 is built as well if not better than my best factory finished Pedersoli's. It also cost a lot less than an equivalent Pedersoli 1853 Enfield. The Traditions 1853 Enfield is made by Chiappa Italy.
I have ordered a sling and bayonet for the rifle. A surprise to me was that the rifle requires musket caps, #11 caps are too small. The musket caps were ordered this morning from Graf & Sons. Graf has been very show to ship lately, so shooting this rifle may not occur soon.
I have "smoked" the Lee Minie ball mold with Franklin's Drop-Out and will cast Minie balls for the rifle this morning. I already have 0.575" balls previously cast that can be used with patch for the 1853 Enfield.
Regards,
Richard