Inletting

[ArtS]

Depending on the double, it is almost impossible. Often the original is required as a pattern. A lot of the older companies until relatively recently had patterns for a lot of the older guns, but have in the last few years simply disposed of the majority of them due to lack of use. I have talked to 10 or 15 companies in the last 5 years and that is the consensus. Most of these guys had a lot of them but simply decided to drop them. Parker Lifters are a real problem. Additionally, some of the really good stockers simply don't want to fool with them anymore and make no bones about it. Stock work in general is getting so expensive that there is more money to be made than fooling with duplicating. It makes it really tough anymore to try and save old models with bad stocks but not enough ultimate value to start thinking about a full custom stock. A lot of the stockmakers own duplicators to cut down on rough out time but don't offer the service. I used to own a cheap duplicator for my own use for what I worked on and can understand that a one off business would be hard to justify.

It has become so tough a situation that I have actually started trying to save old duplicated stocks, not old guns. I see on on eBay that may be useful and buy it. Not long ago, I saw one for sale that was marked "Parker Double" in chalk. It looked maybe 30 years old, was very nice wood , and looked like an early model, so I bought it for $125. May never use it but it looked like it might fit something some day. I am going to have to stop this at 76.