New to the forums, been lurking a little while and figured it would be a good idea to make an account. (couldn't see an obvious introductions thread)
Interests are the same as you, just enjoying old double guns. I do some part time gunsmithing, mainly stocking, chequering and finishing, but also do quite a lot of restorations so touch on rib relaying fairly frequently, barrel browning, re jointing. Between all that i very occasionally actually manage to get out shooting.
My question to you fine gents today concerns a project i am working on at the moment. The gun is a rather beat up old english pinfire double circa 1874. In the past the stock had been shortened by an inch, and done well as weights were repositioned at the same time to retain a good balance, the original solid metal but-plate was also cut down to fit the shortened stock.
The gun already has a cracked and repaired stock and restocking it is not an option, it would never sit right on the gun as all the metal work is very worn so fresh wood work would never look right. Anyway because of this i decided to add an extension on to the stock, but obviously the original butplate is now far too small.
Knowing that the original had a solid metal but plate ideally this is what i should like to put back on the gun. The plate is of muzzle loader vintage with a long widows peak/ tang. Does anyone know where i might be able to get such an plate in the UK? or have one in their parts box looking lonely?
Failing sourcing a replacement full size metal but plate the other options i can see is using the top and bottom of the original plate to create heal and toe pieces and the checker the center of the but. Attempt to fabricate a replacement, which could be possible using parts from the original. Create a leather covered recoil pad, or use a horn but plate.
It may seem pretty but i want whatever goes on there to sit right with the rest of the gun. I would be interested to hear peoples thoughts. Apologies for the lengthy and trivial first post, hopefully some future posts will be more exciting with some pictures or something!
