When JD Steele (Joe Harz) suddenly died a few of the parts for the G&H style Springfield he was making for me got lost in the shuffle and chaos that followed. One of them was the trapdoor butt plate to store the Lyman 48 slide when the scope is mounted. It's nobody's fault, such things happen, but I'm just now realizing how scarce these are. NECG and Biesen no longer make or stock them and I can't find anyone else that has one in stock. Steve Durren has taken over the commission and I couldn't be more pleased but he can't find one either. Anybody here have one they are willing to part with?

Jerry Liles

Do you have a picture or link to one, so that we can see
what they look like. Thanks

Jerry,
I have a Biesen that I have had for about 30 years. It is the smooth surface plate (not checkered). It has never been used however it is missing the door spring and screw. (not a complicated part to make)
Send me a PM if interested and your arguement for talking me out of it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Redding-...=item589c76e619



it's not mine, but I think it may be very appropriate for the build you are doing.

$202.50 .... thats going to be an expensive project

Ouch. Outbid.

LRF I'll have a EM to you later today. I hope we can do business.

Jerry Liles

If you run out of possibilities I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer trap-door buttplate that looks like it was in a train wreck. Needs to have someone who knows what they are doing to straighten it out, a good plate that is hard to find.

Have you talked with Joe's family? I am involved in a like situation and one of the very first things we did was made sure any property of others was returned.

Thanks Michael, I appreciate the offer but it looks like I may have what I need.

I have spoken with Joe's wife and a family friend that stepped in to help her get things settled and visited them about two weeks ago. I didn't get everything back but did get the action and barrel and some other bits and pieces. Stock is gone as is the modified bolt, Mod 70 Supergrade swivels, parts of the magazine, among others. Mrs Harz has been nothing but gracious and what happened was not her fault. I suspect certain people took advantage of her situation. At any rate what was lost are only things and can be and are being replaced and are nothing to compare to her loss.

Steve Durren has taken the commission and we are still going to build a G&H style 30-06 Springfield sporter with Jaeger side mount, Lyman 48 iron sights, trap buttplate for the sight slide, and a Juglans regia stock with a point checkering pattern. Will probably use the Leupold VariX III 2.5-8 scope. I'm looking for clean, simple, functional lines, formed from quality materials with a craftsman's and artist's skills. I want iron sights because I enjoy using them but I need a scope because my eyes aren't what they used to be. I just wish the scope mount side plate didn't mess up the lines of the action as much as it does.

Thanks for your consideration.

Jerry Liles

Thank you SKB, LRF, and Michael Petrov for helping find a butt plate. We acquired the Redding plate from e**y. As it turns out, due to my failure to communicate, I was bidding against my gunsmith, Steve Durren, for the plate so the outragous price is my own damn fault. At any rate we acquired it and it is going to be exactly what is needed.

Jerry Liles

Oops! That butt plate should lovingly caress your shoulder and whisper sweet nothings in your ear after all that!

I know where there is a Biesen Trap butt plate if anyone has a need.

I have a need for one ,could you PM me with condition and pics.

Thanks ,
Chris

I don't know if anyone here is still looking for a trapdoor buttplate, but I saw this on ebay last night

Albright

It is not mine, nor do I know the seller.

Engraved Trap Buttplate

Posted on EBay, same seller also has a couple more, regular plates available.

I hope that I am not beating a dead thread, but I saw this
trap door butt plate on ebay, the seller also has a trap door grip cap.
I am not the seller, nor do I know the seller, just letting people know in case they need it.

Albright butt plate