Converting a beavertail to a splinter

[.38 Special]

Just about the only thing I don't like about this Pedersoli/Taylor's "Wyatt Earp" is the forend.



I've often thought of just rasping it down to the "splinter" shape that I'd prefer, but I'm honestly not sure what lurks inside there. I'd hate to uncover some hidden thing that I don't know about - I doubt sourcing a replacement forend would be a simple matter.

Any thoughts?

 

[N555]

Take it apart and see where the parts are.
All the parts probably occupy a narrow strip down the center.
For me I have to have the Beaver tail for safety. Put more than 3 shots through each barrel and they get hot.

 

[Scooter22]

Thats a nice looking shotgun. If you want to mod it get a replacement forend to play with and keep the origional. I've seen plenty of guns modded that loose a lot of valued. jmo

 

[entropy]

You could get real schnazzy and convert it to a splinter, then get one of these.....

Black Leather Handguards

This hand guard is made to slip over the barrels of double guns to provide a better grip on splinter-type forends. The leather is tanned, dyed and coated.

connecticutshotgun.co

I personally would leave it. Splinter forends were more European, beaver tail forends are more American.

 

[luv2safari]

You could get real schnazzy and convert it to a splinter, then get one of these.....

Black Leather Handguards

This hand guard is made to slip over the barrels of double guns to provide a better grip on splinter-type forends. The leather is tanned, dyed and coated.

connecticutshotgun.co

I personally would leave it. Splinter forends were more European, beaver tail forends are more American.

I have to respectively disagree. Beavertail forends are fuggly and have all the feel of a bloated groundhog.

I had this Sauer 3000 drilling beavertail forend trimmed to a substantial splinter type, and it made the gun handle like a real shotgun.

But heck, we have choices and like what we like.

Beaver Ugly Examples:

After trimmed:

 

[StrawHat]

…Splinter forends were more European, beaver tail forends are more American.

Beaver tails are American, yes, but not of the era that piece tries to depict. All of the classic shotguns of that timeframe sported the splinter forend. And continued to do so until at least WWII. Baker, LC Smith, Ithaca, Winchester, Remington, Fox, Parker, and a host of lesser known brands carried the splinter forend.

Kevin

 

[.38 Special]

Thanks, all. I suppose my chief concern is wood-to-metal fit. I'm not sure if trimming the forend would result in gaps, and am not sure how to check beforehand. Maybe Play-Doh or something.

I did find a spare forend for sale. Does anyone know if these things typically require fitting, or if they tend to be plug-and-play?

 

[entropy]

The iron might not need fitting, if the wood does, that's fairly easy to do.

Beaver tails are American, yes, but not of the era that piece tries to depict. All of the classic shotguns of that timeframe sported the splinter forend. And continued to do so until at least WWII. Baker, LC Smith, Ithaca, Winchester, Remington, Fox, Parker, and a host of lesser known brands carried the splinter forend.

Kevin

And apparently Sauer, at least in the above instance.

Some Trap guns had beaver tail forends before the turn of the century.

I do agree splinters look more elegant and weigh less.

 

[Roverguy]

Carpenter Custom Gunstocks

Talk to Brad, see if he’ll make you a splinter forend. That’s a great looking gun. I hate beaver forends. Yours will look even better with splinter out front.

 

[.38 Special]

Just a quick update... Taylor's sold me a "scratch and dent" forend for ten bucks. An hour with a belt sander and rasp had it whipped into shape, and Birchwood Casey walnut stain and Tru Oil ended up being pretty close. Afterward it snapped right into place without any fitting.





I may go back in and shorten it a bit, but I'm almost afraid to mess with success. A project that comes together with so little cost and drama is just begging me to foul it up in the end!

 

[Roverguy]

Just a quick update... Taylor's sold me a "scratch and dent" forend for ten bucks. An hour with a belt sander and rasp had it whipped into shape, and Birchwood Casey walnut stain and Tru Oil ended up being pretty close. Afterward it snapped right into place without any fitting.



View attachment 1187148

I may go back in and shorten it a bit, but I'm almost afraid to mess with success. A project that comes together with so little cost and drama is just begging me to foul it up in the end!

Looks fab! Well done.

 

[StrawHat]

That looks good! The length is fine.

Kevin

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Looks great!