According to page 488 of Vol. II of TPS in 1875ish Gideon Phoenix (sic) was a "forend maker."
Page 491 says in about 1893 (per the Meriden City records) Joseph Phoenix (sic) son of Gideon, was a "contractor for forearms."
I believe that if the stamp die says "Phenix" then that's how those two gentlemen actually spelled their surname.
So that's who 'modernized' your forend, but somebody else removed the original forend loop and fitted the new replacement to accept the Deely style latch.
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"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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