[masraum]

I'm sure there are some folks here that could match the stain and get a reasonable grain match, Greg and Look, and probably a few others. I'd never get an exact match and that would bug my wife and I. I think painting is a good option other than that paint will probably wear/scratch, but at least you should be able to touch it up.

I think you could use glue and some sort of joint and be fine without a metal backing plate. I understand that glue should be as strong or stronger than the wood. Incorporate a joint of some sort and you should be good.

You could probably pick up red oak 1x at HD.