Sometime ago I purchased what I had termed a "basket case" side by side from one of the AR members. It is a Belgium guild gun made in the 20's by P. Gosuin. I have a pattern ready for stock duplication and when that returns I am going to have the receiver color case hardened (more for the color), have the chokes opened to Imp Cyl and mod. and then rust blue the barrels.
I had Dennis Potter do some remedial work on the action, tightening it, cut the chambers to 2 3/4 and build a long tang for a straight stock. He also reconstructed the rear tang.
I am stocking it in the piece of English next to it in the photo. I have patterned the stock to fit me, although this is my son's project as well as mine. Fortunately it fits him very well also. He got me going on it as a way for him to learn to build stocks. It will have a skeleton butt plate. The barrels are 26 3/4" (68 cms) and it weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces. I imagine we will be shooting light loads in her. The reciever is covered with very nicely done rose and scroll engraving. I may have Scrollcutter, freshen it up and do the extended tang.
Thought I would just post it as a work in progress.
Interesting project and having Potter part of it is very nice. I suspect you're willing to risk warping the action during hardening. Who'd you pick for the job?
Both are good choices. I saw Turnbull Saturday at the Vintagers outside of Chicago. He brought along a variety of guns, all with very impressive colors.
Jozed, I am going to be just north of Chicago this weekend. I knew about that shoot and sure wish I could have made it there. It is planned to be an annual event. Hope it went over well.
Chic, This was the first time that Ray Poudrier brought his Vintagers organization to Chicago. Though interesting, attendance was unremarkable, which may be more an indictment of Chicago-area shotgunners rather than the event. I have a feeling that he'll pass on Chicago come next year. Also, the Upper Peninsula Side-bu-Side Classic draws way, way more interest(Father's Day).
I have a link on my computer to that upper Peninsula shoot. They shoot some interesting games. I remember one called a quail shoot or walk. You need a pair of guns and a loader and walk in and they throw birds as you approach. You dont know when they are coming. Sounds like way too much fun.
I've been to two U.P. shoots. The most challenging game is the simulated pigeon shoot. There are lengths of surveyor's tape fixed to to the bottom of a clay bird. Break the target but make sure the tape falls within an area defined by an eleptical snow fence. Really tough shooting. It's also run with unbelievable efficiency.
Chic - Interesting project. If I may ask, what angle of pitch does the stock have. I am in the process of fitting a 20ga. Citori to my diminutive wife. I will likely have to restock it for it to look like anything.
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