[gardea11b]

I purchased a Fajen stock via gunbroker.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/586142397

I received it today however I am having difficulty identifying the wood. It doesn't appear to be any walnut I have seen. No one at my school could identify the type either(I currently attend the Colorado School of Trades). Is it possible that Fajen made a NM wood stock in other than laminated or walnut? I have seen posts on this forum talk about Fajen stocks being in beech and birch. I am not sure if it is beech or birch since I have never had personal experience with either when it comes to stocks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

http://imgur.com/a/xVktQ

 

[M1Army]

Beech Wood

M1Army

 

[case42so]

Looks like Beech to me. Lighter in color than I have seen but they may have bleached the wood.
Brian

 

[chief on one]

you see the ripple effect on the left side of your picture;;; Beech

 

[m1sniper]

Beech

 

[gardea11b]

I appreciate the help gents. Now can anyone shed some light on if it is actually a Fajen or just a fake. I was under the impression that Fajen only made stocks in walnut and laminate. Some have claimed that they have legitimate Fajen stocks in beech. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Rifleman]

Its a Fajen, from some past experience with these stocks & some time working in a cabinet shop that looks like American sycamore.

http://m14forum.com/stock/149848-birch-beach.html

http://m14forum.com/m14/114701-usgi-nm-m14-stocks-2-print.html


Per USGI drawing C9352638, the wood material acceptable for the 1984 design M14 NM stock are any of the following, subject to additional requirements as specified therein: black walnut, English walnut, yellow birch, sweet birch, sycamore, pecan, red birch, maple, or black locust.

http://www.wood-database.com/sycamore/

While beech & sycamore do look similar, when put next to each other the differences are apparent.

 

[graystoke3]

I have purchase several surplus/old stock mauser stocks of beech and beech garand forearms. And what you have a picture of IMHO it is not beech. I also have done a number of wood projects using birch and I have several birch stocked Garands and birch M-14 stocks and IMHO what is pictured in that auction is a birch stock.

 

[deiter]

I agree it looks like a birch stock to me also

 

[Ted Brown]

The confusion comes from the fact that Fajen made some really nice walnut and laminated commercial stocks for the M14/M1A. The one shown is not commercial, it's a GI contract National Match stock. Some of these were made in walnut, probably by Springfield Armory. Some of these stocks were also made by Canadian Arsenals. The only thing I can find objectionable about them is their 2 1/2 inch width. It's like holding a 2x4. They were made to the maximum allowable under CMP/NRA rules.

 

[Lurp]

Looks like a birch, I would have to see it in person to be sure though.

 

[Bob4064]

So, these stocks are legal in CMP/NRA matches ?

 

[smoothy8500]

They are NRA legal, within the maximum allowable dimensions. Not sure about CMP rules though.

 

[Bob4064]

Fajen stock

Ok thanks for the reply.

 

[Phil “Murphy” McGrath]

So, these stocks are legal in CMP/NRA matches ?

Yes

 

[gardea11b]

thank you all for the help.

 

[Bob4064]

Fajen stock

Ok, thanks, I thought they may be too wide behind the gas cylinder.
My McMillan is narrower in that area.

 

[Ted Brown]

In reality the service rifle rules for National Matches are established by the CMP with the NRA making it's own rules for the Match Rifle category. Both organizations work together to insure there are no conflicts. The late issue oversized stocks were developed by the Army to comply with the maximum dimensions allowed under CMP Service Rifle Rules. The rules are designed to keep the military and civilian competitors on an even playing field.

 

[Bob4064]

Thanks for the info.