Have you considered using a lace on or other leather pad to extend the LOP so you use the original stock?

http://www.brownells.com/shooting-ac...-prod1869.aspx

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Kick-...ner/734596.uts

This gun came with a splinter fore end. The previous owner had a new stock and fore end made. But he had made a beaver tail fore end made. I have read that the beavertail barrel lug has additional soldering for strength. I cant see how this lug could fail just by changing from splinter to beavertail. What possible/additional stresses are there, excluding a poor fit

When shooting a splinter forend you hold on barrels and wood, With beavertail you just hold on wood and all recoil force is on forend lug only, I have seen it break the lug free :crying: scott

If I choose to use the beavertail Id like to have the strength on the lug. Who can or how is it possible to add material to the lug?

Mystery solved... I received my research letter today. This shotgun was ordered by the Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co. in Boston on March 14,1913 and delivered May 22, 1913.
Order book No. 88, it was a VHE hammerless 20 gauge 26" Vulcan barrels. Special instructions were: Chamber 2 7/8", full chokes.

The Price was $37.50 plus $18.75 for ejectors.

Parker Bros. Stock Book No.58, the stock configuration was a capped pistol grip and its specifications were: LOP 13", drop at heel 2", Weight 7 pounds and 7 ounces.

That explains the short stock... what a heavy 20 Gauge !

Chuck Bishop,

Thank you very much.

My guess is it was ordered with a short LOP because the user planned to have on a bunch of clothes and a heavy jacket in a blind. Maybe it was ordered with short barrels to make it easier to hoist up and out of a blind.

Ed,

You have came across a very unique VHE-20ga. Now that you have the letter you can tell the gun was a special order for a special purpose.

IMHO, Because of the unique nature of this gun it would probably be considered a collectable VHE. If this were my gun I'd leave the original wood on it & keep it as close to the factory specs as possible. Any alterations you do to the gun will de-value the gun. If your not happy with it the way it is, I'd suggest placeing it for sale here in the member section & then look for the Parker which will make you happy & buy it when you find it.

I'd bet there are members who would be willing to trade something of equal value out of their collection for your gun.

Good luck with it, you have a really neat one off 20ga.

Paul

I've considered that this was ordered for a unique purpose. I've ruled out that it was for a youth since the weight is 7lbs 7oz. As for the stock, I was fortunate that the previous owner had a new stock made for this gun. I will keep the old stock for value sake.