1913 20 Gauge VHE Forend question

[EdSartell]

This gun came with a splinter fore end. The previous owner had a new stock and fore end made. But he had made a beaver tail fore end made. I have read that the beavertail barrel lug has additional soldering for strength. I cant see how this lug could fail just by changing from splinter to beavertail. What possible/additional stresses are there, excluding a poor fit
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[Dean Romig]

Somebody did a very nice job of making a new stock and forend for your gun Ed.
Very nice wood too.

[Bruce Day]

[quote=EdSartell;112317]....... I cant see how this lug could fail just by changing from splinter to beavertail......

Parker Bros. disagreed .




What possible/additional stresses are there, excluding a poor fit.....

1. Additional weight of beavertail v. splinter
2. Shooter holding beavertail securely.

Splinter forend lugs can and do fail when used to attach a beavertail forend. Some have been lucky for years, others not. TPS explains this and is recommended for the collector.


Left, splinter forend lug

Right, beavertail forend lug

[EdSartell]

Now I can see that there's a big difference. I'll with a splinter.

Thanks to both of you.

[Brian Dudley]

If you are to shoot the gun a lot, would be best to stick with the splinter forend. Not that it hasn't been done by a lot of others in the past, but you don't want to take your chances on it.
Besides, that BTFE is not the proper length to even pass as an original at first glance.

Now... If you wanted to use that nice wood, that BTFE can always be worked down to a splinter. Providing the barrel channels are not excessively hogged out.

[EdSartell]

I have changed my mind. I will go with a splinter forend. Its always good to talk to someone who knows better.