doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinions on Skeleton Buttplates on SXS custom

Evening all,

I'm continuing moving forward on my custom Fox Project as the action is currently being sculpted. As this project continues forward, I was thinking about a change order and that change order would be to add a skeleton buttplate to the mix. Not in the original plans as most (I know there are exceptions) Foxes (even the higher graded ones) had the regular Fox hard buttplate. I have been looking around and it appears that the skeleton buttplate of choice out there is the ones made by Dakota. Anyway, would appreciate any idea's on this front. I may just keep it the way it is, but I'm exploring the idea of going even more upscale. Thanks in advance. Tut

That's a great looking buttplate, (the Dakota). One of our friends on these sites, (can't remember who) is also making a wonderful skeleton buttplate. The big question is deciding whether your stockmaker is willing to take the plunge. I will suggest that my stockmaker make the insert a separate piece like the Parker Reproduction stockers did. It allows a perfect job without so much bloodshed.

Glenn Fewless makes extremely nice skeleton butt plates along with heel and toe clips...he can even make them out of damascus steel. With that said, don't bother him right now, at least wait until he's done working on my project.

Dustin

Glenn Fewless has made up a batch of skelton buttplates. They are very well done. I do not know if he has any available at the moment. I am having it installed on a Fox along with a custom stock. As my stockmaker, Dan May stated, "You really get to know yourself when you do one of these." It does add to the total expense, but they are very classy in my opinion. I am not trying to imitate a factory Fox, so the originality does not bother me.

Pete

I guess it depends on how you will use it. If it is just to be used for show and some light shooting and hunting the skeleton butt is ok. They certainly look nice and show off the gun makers art a little more. But I feel that if you will use the gun seriously a pad or a plate should be used. I like thin rubber but pads. They don't slip and you don't have to worry about putting them butt down in the rack at the club. When I see a skeleton butt all beat up and the metal blueing scratched from putting it in a verticle rack or sitting on the concrete it makes me sick. I use to put my Parker repo muzzle down in the rack at the club so I would not damage the plate. The base of the rack was wood so no damage to the muzzles either but what do you do if it is the ground or concrete? You may be stuck trying to find a safe place to lay your gun while you have your lunch.

I think the skeleton butt plates are classy.

The rubber butt pads do make the gun easier to lean up against the wall.

I still like the skeleton butt plate better.

Best,

Mike

Here are some pics of one of Glenn's fine buttplates on a Grade 5 Parker Lifter that I restocked. At this point I had just finished fitting it and timing the screws. Glenn's plates are highly recommended.

Best, Dan

If you don't want to damage your skeleton butt, get a leather slip-on pad and remove the padding to maintain LOP. No worries.

Great ideas. Glenn's look very nice as well. Need to find out what dimension's the Dakota's are. I think 5 1/8" X 1 5/8" from what I remember. That might work for a 12 Gauge Fox restock. Anyone know what the dimensions of Glenn's are?

Glenn custom made the above plate for me because the Parker was a 10 gauge and required a larger plate than what he usually makes.
I don't recall the standard measurements but I have one at the shop and will measure it and get back to you on Monday if no one beats me to it.