Who is the best at installing leather covered pads and while I'm at it, bending stocks? Have a straight stocked english SXS that I'd like to have a leather covered pad installed on and have the stock bent straight down as it is much too high. Thanks for any information you can give me.

I haven't seen any leather pads done in this country that rival the work done by James Flynn. His work is impeccable and always looks right. I had a leather pad done by Flynns, a very classy pig skin pad done in "oxblood" that was absolutely beautiful.

"Had"? Did you sell that gun?

Gerry, he is not stroking you. Flynn's work on that pad was flawless.

David Yale's wife, Kathy, from Colorado does some beautiful pads as well.

New England Custom in NH make very fine pads and also do excellent stock bending.

Yep, "had". I had to sell it. It was much too high class for the likes of me. It really cramped my style. I'm back to shooting H&R Topper models and couldn't be happier.

I would second James Flynn - he does great work. Trouble may be in scheduling the work.

You know that you go to Hell just as fast for lying as for anything else?

Has anyone had a leather pad done by JJ at Champlin?

Del Whitman put a leather-covered pad on a Grant sidelever I owned. It was perfect.

I will second the recommendation of Del Whitman. He does a very nice job however, be aware that he prefers to use goat skin to cover the pad as it he feels is easier to work with.

If you are insistent enough he will use pig skin (or likely any other leather you prefer). I have several he has done for me with goat skin & one done with pig skin & IMO the pig skin covered pad is nicer & more traditional looking & holds up better to wear from briars, thorns & such. He also did a pig skin covered pad on an island lock Purdey hammer gun for a friend of mine that was very nice work.

Ken Eversull's shop in LA did an outstanding pig skin leather pad for me. Plus, Ken is an outstanding double gunsmith.