Butt pad question

[Virginia Hessler]

Hi
I have been fooling with this old gun recently and have asked a few questions, thank you for all of the responses I hope I don't wear out my welcome.

The stock I have is from a DHE straight grip, it has an old rotten orange pad on it that I believe is original. I have been looking for a replacement and all the ones I've seen have a flat back where it screws to the stock. My stock has an arc on it and the pad I took off has a hard moulded plastic part that matches the stock and I'm guessing the orange rubber is vulcanized to that.

I have looked hard on the net and have not see a pad that has an arc moulded into it.
Can anyone identify this from my description ?

Thank you, Tom

[Eric Eis]

Tom I think that Giffin and Howe pad will work for you.

[Chuck Bishop]

I believe some gunsmiths heat the pad up to make it pliable, shape it, let it cool and it holds it's curve. I use a plug cutter and insert a screw in the middle to draw it in, then reinsert the plug to hide the screw.

[John Campbell]

Galazan offers their own "Period Correct" pad and the traditional Silver's pad. But both are "flat" on the back and must be softened by boiling, bent, then fitted to to stock at hand... just like the originals were. If you have not done this before, best to trust the job to a pro.

[Brian Dudley]

The CSMC "Period Correct" Pad is very flexible and requires no heating at all to conform to a curved butt. I have fitted up some of thes pads to some extreme curves. Below is a photo of one that was on a Parker that was originally fitted with a pad and that curve is original. The CSMC pad bent with no trouble. but it had a little of a hard time staying down in the very middle. For this one, the pad had to be glued in the very middle.
Also pictured below is a Fox CE with this pad fitted to a curved butt.
And also another parker with a Sput added to the pad in order to be able to properly replace a Dogs Head Buttplate with no modification to the wood in any way.

31673

31674

31675

However, a normal Parker curved butt is no problem for these CSMC pads.

Grinding them for a proper clean fit is another story and is best done by someone who knows what they are doing if you have not done one before.

[Dean Romig]

If Tom's gun requires a spurred buttpad I have found the Galazan pad's spur contour and size is not compatible with the original Parker's mortise.

[Brian Dudley]

That is where you have to remove one from another Parker buttplate and put it onto the pad.

[Dean Romig]

Been there... done that. It requires a deft hand to make it look nice.

[Bill Murphy]

I think a better idea is to pour black bedding compound to fill the cutout for the peak.

[Virginia Hessler]

Thanks for the info

My pad does not have the spur on top, so it should be straight forward.

I will order the pad from ct. I will be grinding and installing this pad myself, this is a project gun and this is how I learn.
I have just finished fitting a set of barrels to this gun first time fooling with a shot gun and they came out very tight in all directions. I am very pleased with it and love working on it.

This is not a collector grade gun so I am not so worried if the pad isn't perfect, but I think I can do a very respectable job installing it.

Thanks again for the info, hopefully someday I can contribute.
Tom

[Brian Dudley]

What are you planning on grinding it with?

[Virginia Hessler]

Not sure haven't really gotten that far. Just thinking now I would say put my belt sander in the vice and scribe and grind it off the stock. By the time I get it I will come up with a good plan.

Thanks, Tom

[Brian Dudley]

See how that works, but a belt sander may not have the R's to get a clean finish.

[Virginia Hessler]

Thanks, I see your point. Might be a good time to pick up a disk sander. I'll do some homework on that.
Didn't think of the low rpm. I'm learning every day.

Thanks, Tom

[Brian Dudley]

I have seen the finish that a low rpm belt sander can give and it is horrible. They do make belt sanders that have high enough rpm. But I don't know of any are hand held. Not like a hand held tool is ideal for the job anyway.

A 12" radius sander or one of those belt/radius sander combos are best.

[Bill Murphy]

Brian, have you thought of doing a recoil pad installation video? I'm sure it would bring you a bunch of business from those who would be scared to death to do it themselves, like me.

[Brian Dudley]

I have thought of doing many things. One of which was a published Parker Disassembly Instruction book that covers all models and such. But I see that there are at least 2 others similar things out there for purchase. I have not picked any up yet to see if I can improve on them in any way.

Anyway... back to the videos. Midway USA has many great how-to videos on their YouTube chanel.
Check them out Tom. They may help you.

In fact, the Miles Gilbert fitting jig that Larry uses in his video is the same one that I use. It works well.
I have not used the hanging type that Brownells offers. But I have heard it works well. But I cannot figure for the life of me, by looking at it, how you would set proper angles with it. Maybe it is for those who do not care about such little details...


We are, unfourtunately, in the days when many do not care about proper workmanship in something as small as a recoil pad.
The hottest seller of mine at gun shows is from the little box that I put out at every show labeled "Used Recoil Pads: $3.00ea". I sell them like they are going out of style. All these beat up old White Line pads that I replace or pull off parts guns end up in that box. Then some guy comes by with his jack knife widdled piece of cardboard or rubber in the shape of his butt and says "that one is close enough" and gives me his $3.
And I digress...

[Dean Romig]

From the Home page go to Parker FAQ's and click on items 34 and 35 for disassembly.

[Virginia Hessler]

Brian thanks for the advice.
I have seen the midway u tube and like that adapter he uses to get angles right. I saw it a while ago so I will review it again.
I will probably buy the proper sander, I have seen those combo types disk and belt I doubt they are very expensive. I know it's cheaper to just pay someone but I enjoy doing my own work. I take great pride in my work it's not always the best but it's never shoddy.

Next time I see a few old 3 dollar pads at a show I'll pick up a few, they would make great practice material.

Thanks, Tom

[Daryl Corona]

The CSMC "Period Correct" Pad is very flexible and requires no heating at all to conform to a curved butt. I have fitted up some of thes pads to some extreme curves. Below is a photo of one that was on a Parker that was originally fitted with a pad and that curve is original. The CSMC pad bent with no trouble. but it had a little of a hard time staying down in the very middle. For this one, the pad had to be glued in the very middle.
Also pictured below is a Fox CE with this pad fitted to a curved butt.
And also another parker with a Sput added to the pad in order to be able to properly replace a Dogs Head Buttplate with no modification to the wood in any way.

31673

31674

31675

However, a normal Parker curved butt is no problem for these CSMC pads.

Grinding them for a proper clean fit is another story and is best done by someone who knows what they are doing if you have not done one before.


That first picture looks very familiar Brian.:whistle: You did a great job matching that extreme radius on the butt.:bowdown: Thanks.