Patented reinforcing rod

[Brian Dudley]

Charles King's 1895 patented reinforcing rod was used for guns with questionable grain flow as to strengthen the wrist of the stock. Guns equipt were marked as such with the patent date on the toe line of the stock just behind the grip. Possibly guns with the rod were also not marked.

I have in the shop now a BHE that was made in 1904 and was stocked by Parker's Pierson Bannister. It is stamped on the stock as having the rod. When removing the action, I was able to see evidence of the rod in the upper tang area where the inletting just starts to cut into it. And I was surprised to find that the rod went all the way up into the safety jacket area. The rod appears to be about 3/4" in diameter.

I took the opportunity to photograph this to share below.

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[Brian Dudley]

30399

[Linn Matthews]

If I had to do that with today's technology I would use a carbon fiber rod--light weight, higher strength

[Dean Romig]

Fot those interested.


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[Patrick Lien]

30399

Brian,
Can you please pull the SBP and show a picture of the reinforcing rod from the butt.

thank you

Patrick

[Brian Dudley]

I cannot. This gun is fitted with an old "American Silvers" pad with the leather face. No way to access the screws and remove the pad without damaging it.

I would like to see it from the butt end.

Given the angle of the rod visible in the head. I would estimate the drill point is in the middle of the butt.

[John Havard]

I believe this photo shows one from the butt:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.php?albumid=521&pictureid=5731

[Brian Dudley]

A plugged hole in the middle of the SSBP does not really mean it has the rod. Unless the stock is also stamped with the patent date.
Holes in the butt could also be for lightening or adding weight to the butt end. I have seen some original stocks with multiple plugged holes in them.

[Dean Romig]

Not necessarily so Brian. My DH has a 1" plugged hole higher in the butt for adding or reducing weight and also has a 3/4" plugged hole closer to the toe which is for the hickory rod and there is no patent stamp in the wood. It is a noted fact and there are several examples in members collections that not all stocks with the patented hickory reinforcing rod had the patent stamp.

[Brian Dudley]

I know... That's what I said. That not all stocks with the rod were stamped.

[Brian Dudley]

I have a couple of GH grade guns in the shop with the reinforcing rod in them. One is in the 104,000 serial number range and the other is a 86,000 serial number range.

The 104,000 gun has no markings on it at all in regards to a patent stamp.

The 86,000 gun has both the stamp on the toe line behind the grip, and also the stamp struck TWO times under the butt right over the plug for the rod.

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[Greg Phillips]

Is that the 86,000 SN from GA?

[Brian Dudley]

Yes Greg, the one pictured is yours.
The cracks in the wrist and comb were from the gun being fallen on. The grain is going across the wrist in the area. The stock is literally being held together by only the reinforcing rod.

[paul stafford jr]

my boys 1 frame GH has one also, his is also in the 86000 range. up to today it was the only one I have seen. very cool