Stocking Question: Cutting the Teardrop on a D-grade

[Ed Blake]

Did PB stockers use a shaped "stamp" or jig to cut the teardrops on appropriately graded stocks? I have seen small pattern jigs or even blades cut in the shape of the finial on guns of other makers. Does anyone make these? Thanks

[Bruce Day]

Ed, I've had some discussions about this matter with stockmakers. I don't know what Parker Bros did because I wasn't there, but if you look closely at the drop points on D and C grades, you will see enough variation to lead me to believe that these were hand cut without a template.
There are some drop point cutters available, I believe Galazan sells them, however, these are more rounded like the English gun drop points and not like the Parker ones. You sometimes see these rounded drops on re-stocked guns and it is another one of those tell-tales of incorrect stocking. Re-stockers often get the drop point size, contouring, and angle wrong

[Ed Blake]

"There are some drop point cutters available, I believe Galazan sells them, however, these are more rounded like the English gun drop points and not like the Parker ones. You sometimes see these rounded drops on re-stocked guns and it is another one of those tell-tales of incorrect stocking. Re-stockers often get the drop point size, contouring, and angle wrong."

Yes, that seems to be one of the finer details that is hard to replicate.

[Dean Romig]

Having no proof that Parker Bros. or even Remington ever used a template for the drop points on Grade 3 and 4 Parkers or even the fluer-de-lis on Grade 5.... we do know that a metal template was used for Parker stocks up to and including Grade 2 (we have seen it) so it stands to reason that for a more complex cheek design involving drop points or fluer-de-lis sculpting a template would certainly allow for uniformity (which we are witness to) in these stock features. My WAG is that a template was used.

[Double Play]

Some years ago while visiting with Babe and Lawrence at their shop I saw the templates they use for the drop points on each of the various grades of Parker stocks. Like the screw drivers, stamps, and other items on their work bench I believe these to be original PB equipment.

[Austin W Hogan]

I compared the curves in a D hammer gun drop point with a gouge from my great grandfather's toolbox. Four cuts would do the job; after the location was laid out.

I think the layout guides hang beside the window over the bench at DelGrego's

Best, Austin

[Jerry Andrews]

I've only restocked 11 Parkers that had tear drops. I made templates from the original stocks each time as I'm that anal retentive on shaping. I would have to guess a company like Parker had to have templates. I'm sure it took me 8 times as long to get it to look the way it was supposed to but I don't care. It's gotta be right or I'll burn it. Jerry

[Dean Romig]

Jerry - my Dad always told me "A job worth doing is worth doing well." It's good to see you adhere to the same ethic.

[Jerry Andrews]

I try. I've not studied the Parker guns as I have the Smith guns, I've more or less specialized in the Smith guns, especially the single triggers and ejectors. I've installed them from scratch in numerous guns, so I really understand the trigger and ejectors. The trigger is pretty much a nightmare. A.E. Lard MUST have been on some type of opiates to invent that thing! A person could never dream that up on your own. Way too many moving parts that require things to be perfectlly timed. It does work well once timed and set but it often doesn't take much to get it out of wack. Like tightening or turning a screw in the top tang, back tang or sidelock. Not that anyone should be doing that anyway but people love to fool with things, especially their guns. Jerry