I have in the shop, an early 20ga Bss that is missing the forend latch. Let me expand on that a bit.

After talking with Erv of Western Gun parts of Canada and Art from Art's in MO and finally the historian at Browning Utah, I was able to determine this is a very early high grade gun. The thing about it being unusual is it does not have the latch on the bottom of the forend, it has a push button release from the tip of the forend a lot like some of the earlier british doubles. These guys, exxcept for the Browning folks have not seen one like it.

Here's the rub. It is missing the push rod that activates onto the latch on the barrel and the asssociated spring.

I would like to talk to someone who may have a similar latch affair who could give me some dimensions so I can make one from scratch. Anyone?

Jim

Not familiar with the Browning per se but I did own 2 Spanish guns that used this arrangement, and the latch on one of them broke (threads stripped out). I fabricated a new one out of some cold rolled as I recall. Shouldn't be too hard to figure out if you cant find an original, just a 2 diameter rod with a checkered 'button' on one end. You have to get the length right or you may be able to snap fore end on and then not have enough stroke to get it off. As I recall I had to keep an eye on them or they would shoot loose.
C.G.B.

A follow-up. Just got to thinking (usually a dangerous thing), is this one of their high grade sidelock guns? If so Steve Barnett has one for sale and has photos of it on his site; you might get him to pop the forend and take a photo of it for you.
C.G.B.