gun-stock
(ˈgʌnstɒk)
The wooden stock or support to which the barrel of a gun is attached; † a rest or support on which to place a cannon on board ship.
| 1495–7 Naval Acc. Hen. VII (1896) 246 Also payed in lykewith to John Keyte for xx. Elmyn tres price the pece xij{supd}..of hym so bought & apon makyng of Gonne stokkes for Gonnes belongyng to the seid ship. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Vaqueta..a gunne stocke. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Walnut Tree, The Timber is..used for Gunstocks, Coach-wheels, and the bodies of Coaches. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. v. 179 The Commodore ordered..a swivel gun-stock to be fixed in the bow both of the barge and pinnace. 1835 Greener Gun 144 Walnut has for many years been considered the most handsome and the best wood for gun-stocks. 1899 Blackw. Mag. Aug. 175/1 The least tap on a gun-stock was carried a great distance. |
| Comb. 1689 Ann. Albany (1850) II. 112 Jan Nack, trader and gunstockmaker. |
Hence
ˈgun-stocker, one who fits the stocks of guns to the barrels;
ˈgun-stocking, the fitting of gun-stocks.