I've told this story before but I like it so much I'll tell it again. Dad and Grandpa both had sawed off Stevens 311 shotguns for quail and doves, Dad a 12 and Grandpa a 20. Both had tenite stocks on them which they didn't like much. Dad bought roughed out blanks (just the head cut out) from Bishop or Herters and stocked them both in the early 60's but didn't do the forends.
When I turned 40 my father asked me what I wanted as a gift for this milestone. I told him I thought it was time to make a forend for his old Stevens, he'd given me the gun years before. He thought that was a fine idea and it only took him about a year to get around to it. Grandpa passed shortly afterwards (age 93) and his 20 gauge came down to me. I immediately handed it off to Dad for the same treatment. He got it done about a year later (Dad likes to take his time). Afterwards we took it to the local stocker / engraver and had a gold initial plate added to the forend with Grandfathers name and home town. It's probably the only straight grip Stevens 311 (marked JC Higgins) with a gold initial plate in captivity.
DLH
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I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV
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