I have been unsuccessful in finding a forend iron for my sxs shotgun. I believe it to be a Belgian guild gun as there are no manufacturer's marks but there are Belgian proof marks and it is nitro proofed and such. I thought about contacting Wisners about fabricating one but I wanted to mention it here so I won't get sticker shock when they reply with a quote. This is for an Ansel-Deeley system 16 guage and the guns is otherwise very tight and quite nice.

About how much as I looking at spending? What measurements should I look at having available? Is this something most better gunsmiths can do or do I need a specialist?

[ 11-28-2003, 21:24: Message edited by: 45LCshooter ]

"...a forend iron..." A what? Anything for a non-Browning Belgian shotgun will require custom manufacturing. Think custom machining and custom pricing.

Yep. What Sunray said. You will have to send the whole gun as it will need to be fitted. I would estimate (guess) that it's gonna go for $150-$200.

Maybe a good gunsmith could make another one fit, but there again is that fitting time.

Good luck

45LCshooter,

What's the story with the original one?
I don't know what a Belgian guild gun is worth, or what you want to spend on it to get it shooting. Maybe someone like Champlin's could give you an idea as to what you'd be getting yourself into?
http://www.champlinarms.com/contact.htm

45LCshooter,
Dennis Potter lives in Wisconsin and his phone # is 414 425 4830. He has spent his life working on shotguns and he is my go to man when I need a shotgun question answered. If he does not do it, he will know where to send you. I think that the price range is low but it is hard to say not seeing the shotgun. I can not see it being made for that kind of money unless they were duplicating something in hand, even then, you would only be looking at 3 t 4 hours to reach $150 to $200.

Just a thought, but it might be possible to modify an existing forearm iron for another brand to fit. And investment casting is another option, but a model has to be made.

I had picked up the shotgun cheap to learn on but my gunsmithing ambitions got put aside. I have recently purchased a Ruger #3 and a Winchester 94 and both have straight stocks and the old double seemed worthy of retrofit. The barrel to frame fit is great and very tight, and the Greener cross bolt seemed quite the bonus. When I got it, I thought it would be a good candidate for a cape gun; and I was eager to learn the craft. Vacation time is not as easy to get as it had been and while I have all the woodworking tools I want, I would have to visit my coulsin to get as some machine shop tools, then spend some time learning.

I had thought about finding one that matched the frame enough to be fitted, then modifying it to fit the barrel assembly. I had ordered several schematics from Numrich and even ordered an iron from them for a different shotgun. When I returned it, I thought of exchanging it for a differnent one until I found one close enough for the modification; I just wondered how many returns it would take for them to refuse to do business with me.

I would be willing to spend considerable money on it, but it would be easier if I can spread it out. 150-200 may well be very optimistic, but if it is much over double that figure, I will either have to wait a while or become a student....

[ 12-01-2003, 09:37: Message edited by: 45LCshooter ]