Fox Utica with stock plugs

[Guyk01]

I have another question re a Fox Utica made that has 4 plugs near the stock butt.
It needs stock refinish and rechecking for sure but I have no idea why these plugs are there?
Ken

[DarylC]

Good question. I've never seen that before.

[Researcher]

If these guns could talk,

[eightbore]

They seem to follow the grain quite well. Maybe they aren't plugs at all.

[vaturkey]

Wonder if those go all the way to the other side of the stock?

[vaturkey]

Hell, look at the safety on that gun. Even more mystery.

[Guyk01]

The safety is another question
Ken

[Guyk01]

It’s possible they aren’t plugs but what the heck are they then?
Thanks everyone I’m just getting into this and it’s quite addicting.
Ken

[Fin2Feather]

They almost look like just drawn circles

[Foxnut]

Guyk01,
Any idea of the weight of the gun? Curious if someone wanted to add/remove weight to the back end of the gun or who knows??? Safety is interesting to say the least, looks like someone had a specific use in mind when they modified the safety slide. Also, noticed the checkered panels. Obviously a very modified yet serviceable Sterlingworth. Keep us posted as you explore more.

[setterspell]

Possibly some sort of Rube Goldberg rig was mounted for a handicapped shooter who also needed the oversized safety slide?

[ROMAC]

Just looking at how high the screw is sticking up in front of the safety is giving me a pain in the webbing my shooting hand.

[Stan Hillis]

Those are definitely plugs. It's obvious that effort was put into attempting get them to match the surrounding wood, but if you click on the pic and enlarge it, then click on the 3rd little pic from the left, at the bottom, it will enlarge it even more. At that point you can tell that the grain doesn't match.

That is certainly a mystery. I believe something was mounted there at some point, maybe a plaque or an award(?), and the effort was made to hide screw holes.

[Guyk01]

I’m pretty sure they are very well done plugs.. possibly added weight … I have not put it on a scale but I might now.
The checkering especially on the forearm is pretty poor
I’m planning on redoing the checkering and re finishing the stock… I’ll definitely address the screw at that time
Ken

[Stan Hillis]

Added weight? Possibly. But, I can't help but wonder why someone would drill holes in the side of a buttstock to add weight when it could be done in the center of the butt, under the buttplate, and be hidden. And, why are the four holes so perfectly spaced and laid out, if it wasn't because of screws holding on a plaque or medallion?


All purely speculation, but it's certainly a first for me.