Craig, I have to disagree about vintage makers not always being craftsmen.Though some were better than others, I think they were craftsmen first and foremost....
Only conversation Bill.
The follow on thought might be, why let that stock out the door? If questionable grain flow showed as the blank was shaped, why not reject it? Or, was the job just to do great inletting and shaping? I think, in terms of labor, it may have been too costly to start over, or the customer specified it?
I dont have the desire or ability to test wood grain strength, though I have put cracks in many stocks among other woodworking projects. But, a gun stock is only aesthetically pleasing to me if it has good grain flow. For others, fiddleback and mineral streaks are all that matters, including modern commissioned customs, thats fine.
Throw the rules out for antiques and classics, the choice may be take it or leave it, because they dont grow on tree or come out of card board boxes from a big box retailer. I still think it would be easier to walk into a shop a hundred years ago and ask for a routine non best job than it would be today, if the shop were capable of best work and had the reputation for it.
Anyhow, see if shell group decent, and keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
