Looking for opinions/advice

[Brett Trimble]

I’m having a new stock made for a 12ga Repro SSS. The local smith has had the gun for about 16 months.

I asked for a skeleton butt plate when I left the gun with him. He had a one from an original D-grade gun and agreed to install it.

He now says that it’s been years sense he installed one and doesn’t want to risk making a mess. He wants to install a pad of my choice.

A Silvers or other vintage style pad would not be the end of the world but I really prefer the skeleton plate as both the original D-grade guns and Repros had them.

Any advice from the experienced would be welcome!

Best,
Brett

[Phillip Carr]

That BS would not fly with me. How many stocks do most of us get to do in a lifetime?
16 months to figure out he cannot do it?
I know its been 16 months and you hate to start over, but better than a disappointment every time you pick it up.
Other's may feel differently, but thats how I feel.

[Brett Trimble]

I’m not upset with him, just thinking about how to proceed. I wonder if another stock maker would take on the butt plate install and how that would work logistically.

[Brian Dudley]

It sounds like you need a new stock maker. Period. I would be concerned about what you will get in regards to the rest of the work.

You are paying. You should get what you want. Maybe as a tradeoff for the pad means the job is free to you.

In regards to someone else doing just the buttplate. That is up to you to find someone willing. I can only speak for myself here. I do not like doing partial jobs or fixing other peoples mistakes. If my name is attached to it, it ALL must be right. If I did it or not.

[Aaron Beck]

Is the original buttplate still available? If it is, id buy it asap and then have him finish the job such that it could get installed later. It its no longer for sale, perhaps that tells you the whole story.

[Dean Romig]

That BS would not fly with me. How many stocks do most of us get to do in a lifetime?
16 months to figure out he cannot do it?
I know its been 16 months and you hate to start over, but better than a disappointment every time you pick it up.
Other's may feel differently, but thats how I feel.

What Phil said X2





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[David C Porter]

Having been a stockmaker for over 40 years, I can tell you if he's incapable of doing a skeleton buttplate he's not worth his salt as a stockmaker. 16 months; I'd get the gun & run. I agree with Brian, I'd be concerened with what you end up with.

[allen newell]

Pull your gun back and find a competent stock maker to finish it.

[Brett Trimble]

Thank you all for the thoughtful advice - exactly what I’m looking for.

I’m in a bit of a bind as this is the only gunsmith in my area and the only shop that deals in vintage shotguns. I really can’t burn my bridges here without hurting myself.

The best course seems to be to send the gun to someone else for the butt plate install.

Any suggestions for a competent stock maker that would be willing to do the work?

I think I’m getting a very expensive lesson with this job.. :)

Best,
Brett

[Brian Dudley]

Ideally a SSBP should be fitted into the butt of the gun with the wood of the actual butt. So, the wood in the middle you are looking at is actually the end grain of the stock. Doing this way does take a LOT of time. To do it right.

Now, a workaround that SOME people take is to make the wood in the middle of the plate out of a separate piece of wood. This is in fact how the repro stocks were done by the factory in Japan. The repro stocks are hollowed out in the butt and a thin insert is glued in.

Maybe a solution to this is to have a conversation with your guy and see if he is willing to compromise and do the SSBP the later way. Fit the buttplate perimeter to the stock and then make an insert fitted to the plate and glue it on. If the guy can cleanly fit a spurred or steel buttplate to a stock, then he can handle this. I would think at least.

[Phillip Carr]

If the stock is all fit and shaped it would seem to me that getting a SBP installed may be next to impossible, if you are having the stock made to your dimensions.
Your only choice may be a pad, but its sure not what you wanted.
Just curious why are you restock?

Jus seen Mr Dudleys response. Another great idea if possible.

[Brett Trimble]

Brian,

Good idea Brian, I’ll ask him about that. Honestly, I’m confused about this whole thing as I’ve seen other stocks he’s done and they are of very good quality.

I’m having a new stock made rather than alter the original as the original doesn’t come close to fitting me. My plan is to keep the original stock with the gun so future owners can put it back on if they desire to.

[Brett Trimble]

Here’s a look at the stock last week, he says it’s much further along now. I’ve also included a pic of the butt plate. It will need to be re-finished.

[Dean Romig]

Good idea Brian, I’ll ask him about that. Honestly, I’m confused about this whole thing as I’ve seen other stocks he’s done and they are of very good quality.



Compared to what???… other original Parker stocks…?


That’s certainly a beautiful piece of wood but…
The rise of the comb fron the top of the grip seems quite high.




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[Brett Trimble]

Dean,

The stock is headed and rough shaped when the pic was taken. It’s way high and long at this point.

I’ve seen English guns that he made stocks for and they looked right - at least to my novice eyes..

Best,
Brett

[David C Porter]

Are you replacing the forearm with wood that matches the buttstock. The factory forearm doesn't match your buttstock.

[Brett Trimble]

He’s going to try to stain the stock to match the forend. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go from there. I plan to have the case colors done by Turnbull as well. Money pit..

[David C Porter]

It's not going to work. Another issue is stock finish won't match & you have to match the checkering: lines/in, cutter degree. & lines/in are probably metric. Also, you have an agreement on the job (SBP) & half way through he doesn't want to finish the job as agreed to. With all the money you're going to put into this, do the forearm, too.

Based on your pictures you can’t tell if he's a good stock maker or not. What you're seeing is a sanded stock. You need to look at the quality of the inletting; nice tight fight & no bedding compound to fill the gaps.

[Aaron Beck]

If youre locked in with that gunsmith maybe you would ask for a checkered butt like was sometimes ordered, perhaps even a shade long. Buy the butt plate too but see if you can live with the results. If not, find another stockmaker down the road to install the steel.

[Phillip Carr]

I think Brian has the best solution. In fact why not use the original SSBP and insert. If the next caretaker wants to install the original stock it may be as simple as installing the original stock, SSBP and insert.
I realize it is too late for this project but I have found out the hard way ( several times) that I am most satisfied when I go to the trouble to ship my guns to someone versed in specific manufactures firearms.
The trouble and cost of shipping is soon forgotten when a project goes smoothly and the quality I get is first class.
I hate surprises unless its my birthday or anniversary .

[Brett Trimble]

Gentlemen, thanks for all the ideas. The Repro buttplate won’t work, it’s too short. I’m not adverse to a new forend. I think I’ll sort out the buttstock before J start that job..

[William Woods]

Brett,

A bit off your issue, but I would find out the serial number on the original SSBP and check in the lost and found section to see if someone is looking for that specific SSBP. It might be of benefit to your gunsmith and a member here.

[Bill Murphy]

Brett, don't give up on the skeleton buttplate. If the Repro buttplate is too short, there are unfinished plates out there that are 6" long and 2" wide. Some finished plates are almost that big. Use Brian's suggestion on the installation.

[Brett Trimble]

Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. I’ll talk to the stock maker this week and try to work something out.