Remington Model 12B Gallery Special - 1917

[noreaster]

I have a Remington Model 12B .22 short Gallery Special serial # RW379703 which Remington tells me was manufactured in 1917. It is in perfect working order and in very good physical shape given it's age and that the former owner stored it in a chicken coop for who knows how long. However, the forend is cracked and the wood is very, very dry. I have 2 questions? Would it be better to glue the the original forend or replace it, though many originals I've seen are in worse shape than mine. WOuld it reduce the value much by using a replica as supplied by Bob's Gun parts?
I've tried Numrich Arms and Popperts looking for an original replacement rather than a new replica with no luck. Any help would be appreciated (And yes, it still shoots straight and true.)

[John Gyde]

If you buy replacement wood, try to get the same type as you have. Rem switched from two screws in the forearm to four screws (one locking screw on each side) in mid-1917. Also, there are two different butt stock variations. I don't have my material available to tell when they changed, but they do not interchange. There is also a "long wrist" style on the earliest M/12s, but they will interchange with those made shortly after.

I haven't seen Bob's stocks so can't offer an opinion, but brand new looking wood on a worn gun usually doesn't look right.