Thank you Steve (SKB) you were certainly right that clamping the cheeks of the stock together is really important on a box lock.
As soon as I started the bend I realized, backed off and put on a clamp.

Dennis, thanks for the encouragement. it went smooth, no hitches, to its perfect conclusion. Half an hour and it bent easily. I left it overnight and now I think I can hit some birds with it.

Next, the 28g. RBL

So many guns, so little time!