1873 stock conversion

[Free Bird 61147]

A year or so someone mentioned a vendor who cuts and replaces the metal butt plate on an 1873.  I plan on cutting my stupid crescent flat.  I did it with another 73 but the gunsmith who fitted the butt piece moved on.  I had saved the information about this vendor but my computer crashed and I lost all my favorite places.  Thank you.

[TN Mongo, SASS #61450]

I have replaced stocks on three 73s with flat butt stocks.  Instead of trying to put on a metal butt plates, I have cut butt pads out of 8-9 oz. veg-tan leather (the same dimensions as the steel ones) and glued them on with contact cement.  I then dyed and finished them after installation.  They look good.  I also had to ad a small piece of leather on the top of the stocks to cover the small square inletting.  

 

Another option would be to use a lace-on leather butt stock cover.   I'm a leather maker so one two of the three rifles I have also added lace-on butt stock covers that I designed.  

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Almost any cowboy gunsmith does this conversion all the time.  Simplest is to stick on a rubber recoil pad that is thick enough to get back to where you want the final pull length to be.  This lets you make a flat cut on the stock that takes out the entire top tang mortise where the crescent butt plate extends out toward the comb.

 

But the fast and easy fix is to just lace on a leather butt cover and forget that there is a crescent under the leather.   I'd recommend the one from Kirkpatrick Leather if you want a commercial item made of thick enough leather to "cover up the points" of the steel plate.

 

Good luck, GJ 

Edited October 18, 2017 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708

[G W Wade]

Free Bird.   Do you want the stock shorter or just want it flat?   GW

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Quote

Do you want the stock shorter or just want it flat?

Or do you just want the stock to be comfortable and resistant to slipping off your shoulder?

 

That third choice of course, is easiest.

GJ

[Free Bird 61147]

I know all the previous suggestions and I appreciate the input, but, what I wanted to know if anyone remembered the vendor who made a metal butt plate that fit the stock after I do my cut.  There's about a 1" notch in the top of the stock that " his" fit into.  There was a vendor on SASS a year or so ago who made it.  All I wanted to know is "if" anyone had the info.  I had it but lost all my info when my old computer took a dump.  And yes, my current pistol grip 73 has been cut flat, but my guy moved on.  Thank you.

[G W Wade]

Ken Griner makes a flat butt.     Hope he is who you want.  I have made an adapter to make curved butt flat, that is why I asked.    Good to see you at Fandango last week. Good shooting Pard.   GW

[Free Bird 61147]

Thank you G.W.  that's it.

[G W Wade]

Want you  in TOP shape next time we meet, CHAMP!!      GW

[Johnny Harlan]

One other option that I recently chose is to get the wood replacement from Doc Noper. Just remove your metal plate and this one screws right into place, filling the top gap and making the stock flat. Comes with a suede cover. I really love mine and it is a 10 minute change over. Look up Doc Noper on the interwebs, call and leave a message. He will call back later the same day.

[Conestoga Smith, SASS #18219]

Howdy.

 I got rid of the Crescent stock on my '73 and replaced it with a stock from a CARBINE with the related hardware. Then I needed a leather cover for it ( so if leaned against a doorway after a stage it would not slip and fall over. Less slip when shouldered, for sure  ). Nice set up, and does not look weird.