I bought this at the latest Amoskeag auction. I think if it had an unaltered stock and the original DHBP I probably would not have been able to afford it. Everything else was so nice I decided to go for it. I looked at the gun before the auction during the preview period and left an absentee bid.

May be an idea , keep the original Butt Stock the way it is and have the gun restocked exactly to Jays specific dimensions !

Now it all comes back to me. I agree with everything you said, and I actually thought of running up for the preview. Another member and I actually had a discussion about this gun.
This is only a thought and not intended to be a recommendation, but if the slip on pad works for you, it might be nice to not disturb this stock, but look for a suitable replacement, and keep this one as-is. I have a thing about pads on 20s.

I'd save up my money and have Mark Larson or Dennis Earl Smith put a wood extension on it, they can blend in the extension and make it look like one piece. Put on a DHBP and it will look super. Nice gun!

Russ and Edgar, When I was checking this gun at the preview the though of re-stocking cam to mind(though I have never gone through that process before). The original stock dimensions from the letter were 14 1/4 LOP and 2 3/8 DAH. That would have been very nice.

This is the first gun I have bought that I would consider re-stocking. I do like the idea of selecting the wood and having it made to my dimensions. I wouldn't be installing the recoil pad myself so I would sending it out anyway. Granted I would have a longer wait, but I would have something very nice when I got the gun back.

I am off to Addeiville, I am hopping they have a size "small" slip on pad at Robin Hollow, as my medium is a bit too loose. Of course I'll shoot a round as long as I am there :)

I also should mention that the gun lettered with F/F chokes but it measured M/M with my muzzle gauge. I have plenty of RST shells, I'll report back how it shoots.

Chuck that is an option I hand't thought about. I have seen pictures where the wood extension was blended so well you couldn't see/perceive that it had been done.

If you plan to use a "slip-on" pad, keep in mind they only give you about 1/2" in length, but you can cut foam spacers to fit inside the slip -on.

If it were mine, I would go with an invisible extension of wood or a leather covered pad as we discussed.



.

Neat Jay! Damascus GHs were usually D3; yours is clearly marked D4

DH D4

http://pic20.picturetrail.com:80/VOL.../267326176.jpg

Parker 20s are my favorite. This is a nice one!

Mr. Oliver:
You've made a fine acquisition. And in my view, this gun should NOT be restocked. The LOP could be extended via a wood Larson-blended extension, as suggested. OR a professionally-installed 1-inch Silvers style pad in combination with a 1/4-inch black spacer. That should get you to 14" LOP as well. And it will generally look "right."

Overall, this gun is too nice and in such good condition, that the original stock should be retained.