Stocking an H&A-style underhammer

[Brent]

I have a modified Blue Grouse underhammer that for all practical purposes is a near clone of the Hopkins and Allen rifle familiar to many here.

Mine is barreled with a .45, 18" twist Badger barrel to serve as a target and hunting rifle. It really isn't a very good target rifle, but it is darn accurate and kills deer with aplumb using 400+ gr paper-patched bullet.

My issue with it is that it recoils a bit. More importantly, it is hideously ugly. I call it the World's ugliest gun. And it is. It was my first freehand stock and it shows. In spades. But it is also very difficult for me to see a way to improve. There are two major features that I can't seem to get around. And for which I am requesting your help.

1. The rear of the receiver is very small making the initial wood-metal contact very skinny. I made the grip too fat for sure, but what would be a good way to transition (QUICKLY) to a meatier wrist? Panels? but how? Suggestions, sketches would be very helpful!

2. The stock is attached with a through bolt. The bolt nearly comes out of the toe. This forces the stock to have a lot more drop than I would like. What is a solution? A Euro-style humped stock? A modification of the bolt system?

If anyone has seen a tastefully stocked H&A style of underhammer that is compatible with significant recoil, I would love to see pictures drawings, suggestions of all types.

Thanks!

PS. I would post a picture but could not afford the liability for the eyeball damage that would result.

 

[dd832]

Look through this blog by R.J. Renner ( http://rjrenner.blogspot.com/ ), former owner of the Pacific Rifle Co. and later the designer of the Faeton underhammer rifle. Renner has moved on to modern rifles but the blog info will show some great examples of English influenced stock design.

Renner for years had a blog called 'The Underhammer Society' which if you look through it will keep you occupied for days - http://underhammers.blogspot.com/
He stopped posting to it in 2016, but all the information is still there. These 2 blogs should give you enough info for your project.

Mike

 

[Brent]

Thanks Mike! That is a lot of help. I can see a lot of helpful reading and photos there.

Brent

 

[Mark Herman]

I've had a number of UH rifles over the years with various modifications. One that I have kept is a H&A .45 with a 42" barrel that I put a one piece stock on. The action is inside the stock hence eliminating the through bolt attachment. Send an email for pics.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Here is one I restocked some years ago. The cherry butt stock is loosely based on the work of Nicanor Kendall. It is very sturdy although the heavy 58 caliber barrel is muzzle heavy.

dave