Skeleton butt-plate removal

[B. Dudley]

And... checkering end grain is not all that bad. Better than inletting it.

[MD*GSP]

How did Parker (Meriden) handle balance? Remington?

I'll guess a higher and, more discriminating selection from a cache of materials set aside for each frame size? Barrel wall thickness, maybe?

Was there a particular method commonly used to fine tune balance, once assembly was completed and, prior to final finish?

[B. Dudley]

They would drill out a round hoke and plug the end after and finish/checker over it.

I would speculate that the repro stocks were not bored out for balance, but more just for lightening.

[MD*GSP]

Yeah, I've seen that on other makers guns.

"lightening" is probably more accurate. The question begs, do you ever happen upon anything installed in the machined-out pockets of Repro's (that would provide an indication of how much attention was actually given to balance, I would think)

[mobirdhunter]

Wow! All of this is worth the price of admission...er...membership. Live and learn. I just hope I have enough years left to get it all in.

I sure appreciate the expertise on this forum.