Maybe You Guys Can Help

[Gary Laudermilch]

A friend of mine was grouse hunting in Minnesota with his 16 ga sxs when he discovered the forend missing. A lengthy search turned up nothing. The gun is a L. Christophe made in Brussels during the 50's. I assume this is a guild gun but it never hurts to ask. Any chance of locating a replacement forearm?

[Kensal Rise]

I'd say it all depends on the value of the gun. If it's a mid to low level piece, you're done. The cost of creating a new forearm iron and wood would be more than most guns are worth. If it's a high level gun, or has significant sentimental value, then cost becomes less of an issue.

If your friend really wants to replace the lost forearm, I'd potentially send the gun to Galazan. They are a Francotte dealer and may have a connection back in Belguim. Griffin & Howe is another potential. They are quite good on custom work. Finally, Abe Chaber might be able to help.

At any rate, I'd be prepared for a stunning price tag.

These guns are not like a Ford F-150 where you can find replacement parts in a local boneyard.

Even if you found a separate forearm from the identical model gun, it would be a 10,000 to 1 shot that it would fit up. Maybe with expert alters and even more luck...

All these are hand built and hand fitted. And "hand" costs money...

[C.O.B.]

I doubt it would be cost effective. I had a new forearm built for a 16ga Parker at least 10 years ago and the cost was $1000 and I had the iron.

[B. Dudley]

^^ ouch ^^

[OH Osthaus]

bummer

I agree with the statements above (even the ouch) - one other place to check on making a replacement would be with Larry at http://dutchmanwoodworks.com/ - he is good at fabrication and as reasonable as they come, always a long shot possibility that he can modify one laying around cheaper than making one (still not cheap)

I always wonder how so many forends get separated from their guns- since I "always" reattach mine to the barrels when casing the gun

then this past November- we were getting groceries out of the back of the truck and my wife handed me something and said "whats this" - ummm- the foreend to the DH 12 I was hunting with the week before

sorry for your friend's bad luck.

[B. Dudley]

I even have a selection of orphaned forend irons and such, but with not knowing what should be on the gun, it is hard to tell what may work.

[wayne goerres]

You need someone with a truck (semi) load of parts you can sort through.

[edgarspencer]

Louiis Christofe is the furthest thing from ordinary. They are very high quality guns, and the locks are like fine watches.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Thanks for the comments. I'll pass it along.

[Bindlestiff]

This is probably not feasible in your case judging that you are in Pennsylvania and its lost in Minnesota, but I once lost one in the leaves and couldn't find it. I went back a few days later with a metal detector I borrowed from a friend and after the better part of a day I did recover it. If the area is known and reasonably sized where it was lost, that might work.