doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restocking a sidelock

Dear All,
I have a personal gun, a very pretty Blanch backaction SLE, that some 20 years ago (before I had it) was smashed through the hand (totally unrepairable, large pieces missing). UK prices for restocking make the gun a scrapper but I have been lead to believe that this could be headed-up and locks inlet for much less in the US. Finishing the body of the stock to my requirements are well within my abilities but the time required for the headed-up and locks inlet makes it impractical for a DIY job in my own workshop, I am too busy with restoration work for you good people!
Would anybody like to comment on who to talk to for a job in keeping with the quality of this lovely little 12g? And how much would one expect to pay for such work, time not being a primary consideration? I would also need a pretty piece of wood to compliment the gun but not something too ostentatious, again who and how much?
I had considered making up a composite stock for someone to copy (the lock inlet areas have mostly survived). Would this be the best route to follow?
I appreciate your help and advice in this matter.

Toby Old Chap',......Surely you peruse the pages of the "Yankee Glossies"? DGJ..SSM.& Others.....This Former Colony of your Homeland, is bursting at the seams with "Talent"(I'm talking Gun&Rifle Builders,I hesitate to use the Title "Makers") Always open to a discussion about this tho'.....The Stockmaking Fraternity, many of them I have met personally over the last 45 yrs here in America)..they have taken what was at one time,only hand work, and gone "High-Tech".When I was a 'Lad'@ Purdeys in 1953, along with Brian Sorrell,(East Grinstead Guns" Eng.)We had only the Traditional Chisels, Hammer, Draw-Knife,& Files,...So many hours standing at the bench, but we helped build these guns that are fetching such high prices at the Auctions these days. My suggestion to you would be an email to Darcy Echolls(Shooting Sportsman ran a nice artical on him by Clair Kofoed couple of issues ago,I have used Darcy on some very difficult stocking jobs,(Extended Top-Tangs on Holland, Purdey Double Rifles)Darcy, has a Panograph' that he makes inletting tolerance's down to the "Proverbial Red-Headed Barmaid's R.C.H.".....By the Way, here at "Breaks with Tradition", They are all "Repairable". And of course all the stockmakers that are listed here on DBGunSHOP are Tried and Tested. cc/dt

David,
Thank you so much for your advice.
As you describe, the UK is still dominated by hand work, and very pretty it is too, but most guns from 2nd and 3rd tier makers just can't justify the expense however well justified. I will certainly contact Darcy Echolls about this job.
I take your point about no damage being unrepairable but sadly, the remaining head of the stock is very badly carbonised from a century or more of over oiling (the bane of all restorers) plus someone cut out the break to re-use some of the lovely old walnut so I am missing a 5" section!
Thanks again.

A Redheaded barmaid R.C.H. Boy- those Limeys are big on titles, ey wot?? Knighted by the Queenie for that i'll bet- Royal Crowned Highness? Rightly Crafted Holland? (one and only one of the famed "little Dutch Kids" and their expensive sidelocks?? Rudyard Crippling's Homeland?? Ah yes, and the "beat goes one" even without the unwashed 4 Liverpool laddies you brits sent to plague us in 1964--

Try Doug Mann in the Chicago area. Telephone number is 815-932-4190. I don't have an email address for him.

Regards, Gordon

Is it a candidate for a butt transplant?

You can contact Doug at:
customfox@hotmail.com

Pete

And the beat does go on IIRC ...we sent England the Jimi Hendrix Experience.What goes around does come around.
Now we have everyfool hooked up to an electric geetar.

Oh, maybe that was Dylan`s fault.

Toby;

Why don't you ring up Malcolm Cruxton in Price Street (63 Price St.) Birmingham and ask him what he would charge to re-stock your shotgun. He has done much work for me and is excellent. His stocking is equal to London's and at less money. Plus he is several times quicker in getting his work out than the London lads.

Best Regards;
Bushveld

Lep- Old Robert Allen Zimmerman- got away from the acoustic bit and went electric 1965- My favorite of that album- Sid Grossman's wife on the jacket doing her "best Mrs. Robinson on the young Zim-ster"-- Highway 61 Revisited- Bobby's father was named Abe--betcha he liked that one too!!