I have not seen a fluer di lis or the nose of the comb duplicated so well on the same stock and I'll take your bet Channing... what are the stakes?

I agree about the shaping Dean. I just cant understand why an original gun of this grade would be without an oval or shield. It could have an oval and the angle of the picture doesn't show it clearly. Or perhaps it has a nice large plaque on the other side of the stock?

Peter,

I have decided to take it upon myself to help you out of this dilemma and take the gun off your hands. Just think; no more will you have to worry about the rust problems, what happened to the original forend; is it in a good home or being abused by laying around completely lonely. I will have a new forend made to match the original and I will take care of the gun and give it a good home for the rest of my life. Simply PM me with how you want to send me the gun. Your worries are over.

Seriously that is a beautiful gun. If it was me I would have a new forend made and enjoy the daylights out of it.

Dennis

Could be the shield is on the grip cap?

True, Grade-5 and higher had the gold insert in the grip cap. Good catch Scott.

Good call Scott, most B grade guns had a gold insert in the grip cap.

Is it an ejector gun or an extractor? That is the main thing to consider when looking for a forend. Though finding an original and complete high grade forend may be difficult, it can be done if you are patient. And there MAY be issues with fit.

It may be best for you to consider having a new forend crafted from parts. An original 1 frame iron can be fitted, or an original unfitted iron can be fitted as well. New wood made and all parts engraved to match.

Would maybe be more than finding an original, but only way to guarantee a perfect fit. And, iron can be stamped so that non-originality would be hard to detect.

Cost of finding an original forend complete all depends on how much someone wants for such a high grade piece.

Folsom Pads were correct for early 20s guns. Shield is on the cap. Earlier ones had a screw through the center, later ones were affixed from inside screw down through the head.

Looks like an A to me based on the full coverage of engraving on the bottom. Very pretty gun.

That would make it 172669