Why Full Wood

S

stampede

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
Location
British Columbia
Most military wood stock rifles of the last 150 years have full wood stocks. The equivalent sporting/hunting rifles do not. Even in the 1860's the civil war era rifle muskets were full wood whereas hunting rifles such as the Hawkins were not.

What was the specific advantage to the foot soldier of a full wood stock ? Durability ?
 
There are three reasons for the full wood stock on battle rifles.

1. Bayonet fighting. Its common practice to smash the other guy's bayonet out of the way and stab him

2. If you run out of ammo you now have a club

3. polymer did not exist yet
 
Rifles were built to FIGHT with...and fight nasty up close personal vicious.

As well the rifle would be fired to the point of very hot.
The rifles would be roughly handled and stored, shot from myriad of improvised shooting positions and surfaces.

The wood takes the beating rather than the actual barrel. Wood soaks up impacts, provides a thermal barrier, and can be sacrificial.
A full wood stock also made the rifle less snag prone.
As previously pointed out, the rifle was as likely to be used as a blocker/club/blunt weapon in close quarter fighting...the full stock gave a better purchase regardless of where it was handled and provided a bigger surface area to absorb impacts and abuse.

The modern battle rifle is a freakin fishing lure in comparison ....and worse with the more crap attached to it....
 
Just find an old log.

In those days nice walnut used to be plentiful, and plastic had not been invented yet.

An old soldier could carve a replacement from a well-seasoned log.
Try making plastic in the field.
 
Because men were men, and this rifle is too heavy wasn't something they complained about. Oddly enough we are seeing full length forends become more popular these days, probably because they look bad a**! I watched hacksaw ridge last night and all those full length forends looked pretty good.
 
Ever try to do fix a bayonet on a smoking-hot rifle?

giphy.gif
 
"Well....I didn't hear anybody shouting about bayonets!"

How rumours get started: "Hey, what did they just say down the line? It sounded like somebody said, 'Bayonets!'...
"No, I don't think so...let's wait and see what everybody else is doing..."
"Oh, no, not again!"
"I'm not going 'over the top' unless you go first!"
"We're all gonna die, ya know..."
"Think I'll call in sick this morning."
"Yeah, my ankle is really hurting...." :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom