I have an early 1894 rifle. The top of the tang has been broken off and rewelded in place. Good job, you can barely see it unless you take off the stock. The bottom tang is not damaged at all. I have seen a number of these over the years, always just the top tang damaged. What do you think broke the tang? I guess a fall, but it would have to be quite a fall to actually break the tang off, the wood would have to be completely broken off also. It seems the stock screw anchors the stock firmly in place.