Reproduction forend tragedy, please help me!

[David Noble]

I would have stripped down to my skivvies and jumped into the creek immediately to try and find that forearm. It's been over a week now and the wood is likely not too good, but I think it would still be worth a try to dive in with a diving mask and some fins to look for it.
I'm not sure of the water temperature so that's a factor. If the creek is tidal fed then the current might flow both directions, so the forearm could still be in the general area. A splinter forearm would sink rather quickly and likely entangle in growth at the bottom.
You could even jury rig a breathing tube tied to a float that would allow you to spend more time under water searching. That is your best bet other than waiting to find a replacement.

[Bill Murphy]

There are owners of original DHE forends on this website, but they would probably not be willing to sell them for less than four figures. The forends offered for sale on ebay and such are incomplete or trashed. Keep looking, or contact Mr. Skeuse.

[Buddy Harrison]

I still like the "Go Forend Me!" Idea.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by David Noble

I would have stripped down to my skivvies and jumped into the creek immediately to try and find that forearm. It's been over a week now and the wood is likely not too good, but I think it would still be worth a try to dive in with a diving mask and some fins to look for it.
I'm not sure of the water temperature so that's a factor. If the creek is tidal fed then the current might flow both directions, so the forearm could still be in the general area. A splinter forearm would sink rather quickly and likely entangle in growth at the bottom.
You could even jury rig a breathing tube tied to a float that would allow you to spend more time under water searching. That is your best bet other than waiting to find a replacement.

I would opt for a strong magnet on a length of parachute cord. Drag and probe the bottom. I think you would have a better than 50% chance of finding it.
Don’t worry about the wood… it can be easily dried and even refinished if necessary.





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[Bill Murphy]

Have we forgotten that the gun is gone, sold? Boo Hoo.

[Dean Romig]

Yup, I had forgotten.





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[BRDHNTR]

Comes with age Dean. Welcome to my world

[Dean Romig]

Classic pot calling the kettle black…



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[Bill Murphy]

I am still interested in buying that gun if the buyer would be interested in selling.

[Stan Hillis]

I bought a 2500 lb. pull "fishing magnet" some years ago to look for a big stainless prop that was lost in the Savannah River. I bought a synthetic winch rope with a strong attaching clip to use on it. While showing it to a friend in my farm shop one day I put it on a piece of large, steel I-beam and told him to pull it off. He couldn't, and I couldn't. I had to put a large pry bar through the ring on top to use to pry it off the I-beam. These things are awesomely strong!

I wouldn't give up searching for it, even if I had to buy a magnet of my own. I wish the OP the best of luck in resolving this and . . . . THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

OBTW, for those of you who are thinking "stainless isn't attracted by a magnet", I went to a buddy's marine shop after I got it and tried it on 12 stainless props. It strongly attracted 11 of them. All stainless isn't the same. I think what we refer to as "food grade stainless" isn't "magnetic", but much of the machinable stainless is.