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What can be done to help minimize or hide the look of the plugged holes on my Mdl 21 forearm and buttstock? Some one installed sling swivels and then had them removed.Is there someone you could recommend that could help?

Thanks

I have seen only one gun that had plugs successfully hidden. Quite that were not so successful.
One cosmetic change that might work is to have silver shields made to cover and then engrave with your initials or COA.
Not usual but would make the gun distinctly yours. Course this would not work if you have the notion of selling, someday.
Best,
John

Another "repair" that will very often work is to refinish the stocks, using a darker stain. A gifted finisher can blend in those two plugs into darker areas pretty easily and still end up with a beautiful piece of wood. Mis-Matched plugs of this sort hide much easier under darker stain.

At least you got wood plugs! My 16-gauge Husqvarna 310-ASE got red epoxy!! I'd cover the plug in the buttstock with an initial shield and do a Bakeresque ebony inlay in the forearm if I wanted to hide them.

The buttstock plug can be easily concealed, as John noted, with an initial shield; except that I would recommend a gold oval and just leave it unengraved (would add a very nice cosmetic touch). The forearm will be the challenge, and I don't know that I have an answer; but it is rather hideous and I too would try to so something to hide the plug. You might considere a diamond shaped horn or ebony inlay. Diamond shaped black inlays are not uncommon on Winchester guns; and, as there is just enough room to accomodate such a properly done inlay, the finished result would likely have the appearance of a special order custom touch. Good luck in whatever you do!

I'm not up on 21's is the forearm original ?

It looks as though who ever did the plugs needed more practice...sadly it's on you gun. I think why they stand out so is because of a poor fit...the glue lines show.

A diamond shaped inlay wouldn't look right...because it would be touching the checkering border and would look worse than the plug.
If you initial shield the back plug it's going to look too low on the stock.

I'd get a good stock man to replace the plugs with plugs that match the wood and fit better.

A good stock finisher can hide these with a false grain pattern and the use of a dark stain or finish.

The gold oval for the butt stock is a good solution in any case.

al

On a different tack, you might consider brass inserts tapped to accept sling swivels. Keep the threads covered with a brass threaded rod cut and polished flush wit a small slot. Turn a blem into a dressed feature.

The wood is original with all serial numbers matching both wood and metal.It was Mfg 1937 Standard Skeet Grade 20 Ga. and I would like to keep the original wood on the gun.

Any suggestions on who to contact?

Thanks

One more for the shield on the butt stock. Could connect the checkering parterns on the forend with some skill. It appears to be refinished anyway.