I've recently begun building some Cadets in various forms, mostly LW versions in small calibers. Here are some pics of a Francotte in 219 Improved; this was my first Cadet project in over 30 years and also my first effort at a skeleton grip cap. The ivory insert is my second effort at scrimshanding, the first one was a pendant for My Daughter.
The last pic shows the trap-door buttplate and its rather unique treatment. I wanted a way to incorporate some sort of trap and the Cadet's drawbolt complicates things for both a belly trap and a butt trap; I needed to have easy access to the drawbolt without being too complicated or inaccessible or awkward. I eventually hit upon this solution.
The leather liner is easily removable for drawbolt access and has been wet-formed to the shape of the butt recess, with its slightly-curled-over edges trapped under the edge of the buttplate's opening when installed. The small pouch is sized to contain the two steel threaded lens caps for the Unertl scope and provides handy storage and an easy way to keep from misplacing them when shooting. The leather will eventually absorb moisture under certain conditions and so precautions should be taken to avoid problems with the wood inside the butt cavity.
Food for thought, regards, Joe
PS: the old saying that the cobbler's children are never shod also applies to certain gunsmiths, notice the as-yet unpolished and unblued parts....
