Old Stock Damage? Ithaca by SKB 280

[Palerider]

Please have a look at the attached pictures. The shotgun is an Ithaca by SKB Model 280 that was willed to me. Both sides of the stock have these unusual markings in the wood. I can't tell if it was an old repair or its always been like this. On the one side, I can run my fingernail over the wood and feel the slight bump, the other side is smooth but visible changes to the grain.

If you think it was a repair, appreciate what you think was done and what it was trying to fix.

Thanks!

[normanvin]

Is the section actualy wood? Does it have wood grain to it?

It appears from the pics that it might be wood filler.

[Palerider]

Had to run back down to the safe....It has grain, its not filler. There's a couple of grain lines that run out of the 'odd' area and continue back into rest of the stock. The pic Stock1 of the gun has the more apparent issue. The side for Stock2 pic is much less pronounced, almost like there's extra varnish or something on it. I couldn't figure out why its on both sides.

Thanks

[normanvin]

Some of our local wood smiths may be able to answer better. But maybe the varnish against the metal had become chipped. Then someone tried to fix it and laid on the varnish to heavy.