Chuck H.: BT vs Splinter pics

[Chuck Heald]

What I was curious about with the Parker BTFE's is whether the latch depth was the same. On many doubles, the latch for a splinter has a different paw and allows the splinter to be a thinner profile than the BTFE. Many conversions to BTFE from splinters require that that latch be inset below the surface because the latch paw length is not correct for a BTFE. (see sketch below)

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Chuck Heald

Many conversions to BTFE from splinters require that that latch be inset below the surface because the latch paw length is not correct for a BTFE.

Chuck, what you are referring to is a non-Parker "BTFE from splinter" conversion which are almost invariably (unless done by an expert stocker well versed in Parker shotguns) much thicker than would be an original or correctly done replacement. The usual Parker Bros. and Remington Parker BTFEs were wide and flat and the barrels sat quite low into the wood. I have seen the kind you refer to and unfortunately they usually are abominations.