Question from a new member

[Jerry Parise]

Hi Folks,
I am new to the world of vintage shotguns, so, if this is a dumb question please forgive my asking. It seems that every vintage gun that I shoulder the drop at heel is rather low. Why is the drop at heel always so severe in the field guns? Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide me.

[Linn Matthews]

Different times, different shooting styles--head up vs head down.

[Frank Cronin]

Welcome Jerry. There is a thread "The Fit of Shotgun Stocks - 1909" that talks much about your question regarding drop.

For myself, to compensate for shotguns that have a lot of drop, I use a pad called Accu-riser to give the stock a little lift.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3461

Hope this helps.

[Bruce Day]

[quote=Jerry Parise;47119]Hi Folks,
..... Why is the drop at heel always so severe in the field guns? ..../quote]


2" to 2 1/2" DAH is severe? I have a bunch that way that date anywhere from 1904 to 1939.

Parkers usually ranged from 2" to 3" DAH, often the higher number for the waterfowlers, less for the uplanders. Many standard V's were built at 2 1/2". I've seen that the ones with lots of drop tend to hang around the gun show tables for a long time and the ones with less sell. If you don't like what you see, find another.

Parker catalogs stated drops from 2 to 3 1/4 " . The very early ones tend to be built like hockey sticks.

[Paul Ehlers]

[quote=Jerry Parise;47119]Hi Folks,
..... Why is the drop at heel always so severe in the field guns? ..../quote]


2" to 2 1/2" DAH is severe? I have a bunch that way that date anywhere from 1904 to 1939.

Parkers usually ranged from 2" to 3" DAH, often the higher number for the waterfowlers, less for the uplanders. Many standard V's were built at 2 1/2". I've seen that the ones with lots of drop tend to hang around the gun show tables for a long time and the ones with less sell. If you don't like what you see, find another.

Well Said Bruce!

There are a lot of the older guns that were made with what we consider modern dimentions. Then there are those that have cosiderable DAH compared to our current times.

One of the things I try to keep in miind is how times change with our game laws and hunting styles as well. Back in the day when these old guns were made they shot a lot of game on the ground or sitting on the water rather than on the wing. Market hunting was also a factor up until a certain point as well. I've always thought that 3" or more drop at heel would probably help with shooting game on the ground by being able to keep your head up to see the game and at the same time put the bead on top of the animal and not shoot high.

Where when your upland shooting most birds have some rise to them and a higher DAH may help with connecting with the target.

Just some random thoughts,

Paul

[Harry Collins]

I was supprised at how my Parkers are stocked. I had not measured in earnest until last week. An 1881 lifter with straight stock has 2 7/16 DAH and the story was the same for most all the guns including the D 10 gauge fron 1884 that as I recall has 2 3/8 DAH. The GH's from the 1890's all had 3" +- 1/8" DAH. A DH 10 from the turn of the century had 2 1/2" DAH or less as did a DH 12 two barrel set.

A friend of mine is a live bird shot as well as trap. He pointed out that some of the radical designs on the trap field are very straight and also have a very, very high rib. He said it keeps you from looking through your eye brows. My body is not built to shoot a very straight gun and I do as well with the ones that have 3" of drop as any of them. I sure ain't looking through my eyebrows.

Harry