Can newer Beaver tail forearm fit a 1905 Vh

[Steven Frattini]

I have a 1905 VH 12ga with a small splinter type forearm. It’s too small and not comfortable to hunt as there’s nothing to hold on to while quickly mounting the gun during bird hunting. I often have to wrap my fingers around the barrel to hold it. The larger beaver tail forearms on later model Parker’s that wrap around the barrels somewhat solve this problem for better gripping.

Would a beaver tail forearm from a later model fit my 1905 VH ? I would obviously hunt with it then return the original splinter forearm at the end of the day.

[Jim DiSpagno]

You would need the complete fore end and have it properly fit to the gun. An expensive endeavor and has to be done by a “Parker knowledge “ Smith.

[todd allen]

The short answer is no. Of course you can have a custom beavertail made to fit.
Here's a better solution:
https://connecticutshotgun.co/weighted-brown-leather-handguards/

[Steven Frattini]

Ok thanks for the info. I’ve ordered the handguard from Conn Shotguns.

[Steven Frattini]

One last question. Are you aware of anyone who is qualified to custom fabricate and fit a beaver tail forearm in this scenario?

[todd allen]

I think there are at least a couple of qualified Smith's on board here that could handle this procedure.

[Dean Romig]

It would likely be cost prohibitive to do it properly. To do it improperly you risk pulling the forend loop (or lug) off of the barrels.





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[Mike Franzen]

Contact Brian Dudley. He is on here frequently and I believe he can do it.

[todd allen]

The cheapest/best alternative is to horse trade into a beaver tail FE gun. Or just learn to shoot the current gun with the splinter.
Most of my field guns wear the splinter. Unless you're shooting driven, or doves in South America the splinter works just fine.

[George Stanton]

Hold the barrels and lay the wood of the splinter forend in your palm. That is how a splinter forend was intended to be used.

If you must fit a beavertail, be aware it may cause damage to the forend loop and lower rib due to the increased stress. It has to be done properly.

[Steven Frattini]

Ok thanks everyone for the assistance and advising.

[Brian Dudley]

Factory guns with beavertail forends have a different barrel forend loop/short rib arrangement which is one piece. And the forend iron is different. It is longer and beefed up in the front to accept a long reinforcement bolt that goes into the front of the forend.

These features were determined to be necessary for the abuse that a gun can see in the situations that a beavertail forend was commonly used in. IE: Trap, Skeet and competitive target shooting. Without these reinforcement features issues can arise from that high volume shooting.

Now... realistically, for a hunting gun that will see normal use, there is no reason that you cannot have a beavertail forend made for your gun utilizing the original splinter iron. Without modifying the gun or the barrels. And the original splinter wood could be put back on it at any time in the future.