Replacing a flat buttplate with spurred

[Samuel S.]

I have a 20 ga VH (circa 1908 or thereabouts) with a spurred buttplate. It's beautiful, and the gun has been in my family for almost 100 years. I am purchasing a 16 ga. later era gun (1927) with a flat buttplate. Please don't shun me for this question: I am not attempting blasphemy, but would it be possible to inlet a spurred buttplate to replace the flat one (which is chipped, by the way)? I'm not concerned about what this will do to the value (please don't judge --- this will go to a great grandson some day, and continue its journey through the generations, if my wishes are fulfilled). Has anyone here fit a spurred plate to a gun that had a flat plate? I just love the spurred plate and am not a fan of the flat one. Any information would be helpful.

[B. Dudley]

Sure it would be possible, but it is a whole lot of effort and expense for… what? But you said you font care about altering the gun. So I guess that does not matter. It is your decision. Just dont screw it up or let someone else screw it up. You will be regretting it.

[Samuel S.]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Sure it would be possible, but it is a whole lot of effort and expense for… what? But you said you font care about altering the gun. So I guess that does not matter. It is your decision. Just dont screw it up or let someone else screw it up. You will be regretting it.

Thanks Brian. I appreciate you taking the time to weigh in. Anyone with experience doing this, please let me know. I’ve built a couple guns, several guitars and violins and, most recently, a gambrel barn, so I am pretty confident in being able to do this. Just wondering if the original geometry or something I haven’t thought if will be prohibitive. I may chicken out anyway. Any helpful information on the process would be tremendously appreciated.

[Bill Murphy]

Sorry, was not thinking when I posted.

[B. Dudley]

Bill, he states it is a later ‘20s gun. Which would not have a spur.

[Bill Murphy]

Thanks, Brian, I changed my incorrect post.

[78CJ]

Not shunning, just a thought. You may not care about the effect on value but a great grandson may look at it and say why did he do that? As stated, it's pretty much a lateral move in utility.

I have my great grandfather's 1886 that a great uncle had rebored from 40/65 to 45/70. I am not sure the reason, whether it was bad pitting or ammo availability but I sure wish it had been re-lined and not bored. I would change it back but they re-stamped it. I cherish it none the less but still would like to have had it original.

Ryan

[Bill Murphy]

You would have to be a hard core collector to give a darn. It is a great gun with a flat buttplate.

[Chris Robenalt]

Samuel, I had a 1927 or 8 16ga with the flat buttplate. I left it alone. Changing it would be like cutting the barrels, because I want shorter ones. I've put a spurred plate on others by request. It's not easy, but it's hard, just time consuming, and you have one chance to get it right. Just my opinion, but it's your gun so I won't try to discourage the thought. Lots of experience and help here. I just posted the thought of changing the stock on my Super Fox. I took Brian Dudley's advice along with other's. Kick the thought around and see what others think. Hope you find what your looking for...

Chris, AZ

[Samuel S.]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I sincerely appreciate the advice. The gun I am purchasing has already been altered somewhat (cosmetically), and I just sort of wanted to emulate the old 20 ga. You’ve all made me think very deeply/reconsider, and I appreciate your replies a great deal. If, however, anyone has actually performed this alteration, from an experienced woodworker’s perspective, I would greatly appreciate any tips. I may not do it anyway, but it’s always fun to learn from others’ experiences ��