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View Full Version : Mr. Dudley delivers on a Fox grouse gun


tom tutwiler
04-18-2014, 04:44 PM
Did some horsetrading with Brian Dudley who does a lot of work for you Parker guys. I had a PH 12 gauge that Brian liked and I had a late model Sterlingworth 20 Gauge Ejector gun that came with a factory beavertail that I just didn't like the feel of. Long story short, I found a mid grade chunk of English and Brian made me a new stock, round knob, splinter forearm. Took a bit of drilling in the stock, but he got it balanced on the hingepin. Weight it 6 lbs even. Gun feels real good as Brian made it to fit my measurements. Anyway, enjoy. Gun looks better then it shows with my lousy pictures, but one gets an idea. PS. Brian offers end to end service. He hand carried the barrels over to Galazan and got them opened up to IC/Mod for me down from their full/mod. This is now my little grouse gun as I call it. :)

Where we started:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246328.jpg

Where we got:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246294.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246720.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246296.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246298.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1418/13596104/24371763/409246293.jpg

PS. I have the original stock and forearm as well. Brian was able to use a factory pattern stock he had in the inventory to duplicate.

Also interesting to see that what I thought I had in the blank was correct. Sometimes they get turned and nothing looks like it did. This one turned out to look just like the blank did on both sides.

Rich Anderson
04-18-2014, 05:38 PM
Very nice my congrats....and it's only 5 mos (in MI any way) to grouse season. I'm working on a Fox CE 16 that's been restocked using a telephone poll for wood and a chainsaw to do the checkering. When this deal comes together I would want to restock it just like an original Fox and you have solved my question as to where the work should go. Thanks.

Bill Murphy
04-18-2014, 05:57 PM
Thomas, my friend, why do you insist on using mediocre wood on one step up from mediocre guns? Seriously, that piece belongs on my Becker Fox project.

tom tutwiler
04-18-2014, 06:08 PM
Thomas, my friend, why do you insist on using mediocre wood on one step up from mediocre guns? Seriously, that piece belongs on my Becker Fox project.

Yep this was pretty nice California English. You know me Bill I collect the stuff and then figure out what needs restocking. Sometimes nothing and I end up moving the wood on. I'm out now. I sold 3 blanks in the last month, all to Fox guys. Two are being used for custom Foxes (one being done by Dan another by Gunter who used to work for Ithaca Classic Double). The other blank I shipped to Dan for a fellow to use on his CE Fox restocking.

PS. I look for wood the way you look for Parkers. My hobby is quite a bit cheaper then yours. :)

Brian Dudley
04-18-2014, 06:12 PM
Just a few notes. I took the barrels to Turnbull. My hey are only about an hour from me.
And I did use your original stock set for duplication patterns. The one I had on hand had different enough inletting to where it would have been a problem.
Thanks for posting tom.

Here is a photo of it that I had that looks good.

32910

Bill Murphy
04-18-2014, 08:16 PM
The nicest restocks I have ever seen have been on unrestored guns. End of story.

charlie cleveland
04-18-2014, 08:36 PM
it still amazes me how a chunk of wood comes out looking so good but hey when a fellow like brian does the work its gona look good..nice gun and beautiful wood for sure...charlie

Eric Eis
04-19-2014, 08:34 AM
Not your average stick of wood..... Very nice and great job by Brian