ArmedinAZ
Buckeye
What is the purpose of the odd detail on the front of the forearm?
Ruger #1 stock question
- Thread starter ArmedinAZ
- Start date
wunbe
Buckeye
No earthly use in the AH forearm tip.
If any other rifle maker thought it was useful or even attractive they would imitate it. None have.
You figure it out.
wunbe
If any other rifle maker thought it was useful or even attractive they would imitate it. None have.
You figure it out.
wunbe
singleshot
Single-Sixer
The AH forearm "groove" is designed for hooking on the top rung of field fencing.
It's a shooting aid
It's a shooting aid
5of7
Hunter
I think it is more a sales feature than a utility feature. It makes the buyer think of old world craftsmanship and the quality is alleged to have accompanied it. 8)
picketpin
Buckeye
Look at some of the early Fraquarsens or early stalking rifles. and you see it. It's simply a design detail. You can always cut it off and install an ebony or of more standard wood tip if it offends you. Sort of like asking what the heck the Schnabel is on some fore arms for.
I'll trade you Semi Beaver tail for Alex Henry any time you would like.
RWT
I'll trade you Semi Beaver tail for Alex Henry any time you would like.
RWT
Silent Sam
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2006
- Messages
- 728
Actually a schnabel forearm does have a purpose...
picketpin
Buckeye
Really?? What purpose would that be??? Seriously.
RWT
RWT
BayouBob
Bearcat
It's called an Alexander Henry fore end. Named after an old gunmaker of more than a century ago on the other side of the pond. Ruger says it has no purpose other than adopting the old style. I think 5of7 hit it right; it is to remind you of old world quality. Although Ruger says they don't know of any purpose the style ever served some think it probably had some utility like holding a loop of cord for a make shift sling.
picketpin
Buckeye
Not offended, was anybody else?? The answer really is just that simple it was a design feature on quite a few early stalking rifles. Farquarsen had the patent for the falling block action that Ruger used as inspiration in designing the #1. Under the e original patent of makers used the action and stocked it to their taste. Alex Henry and others used this embellishment. When Brownell and Bill Ruger were designing the #1 stock they decided to incorporate the "Alex Henry" fore arm complete with the tip feature in the "A". "S" and "H" configuration.
As for the Schnabel that certainly could be it but looking at the rifles from the 1800s that have it right up to my Model 70 Featherweight and several Browning 78s it wouldn't seem to be pronounced enough to actually stop the rifle from slipping/shifting through the cross sticks. But if it works that way for somebody then by all means use it.
Ross
As for the Schnabel that certainly could be it but looking at the rifles from the 1800s that have it right up to my Model 70 Featherweight and several Browning 78s it wouldn't seem to be pronounced enough to actually stop the rifle from slipping/shifting through the cross sticks. But if it works that way for somebody then by all means use it.
Ross
Silent Sam
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2006
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I think the schnabel was more of a finger/thumb index than shooting stick adaptation. There was an article in Handloader I believe that discussed it a while ago. Whether anyone actually uses it for that purpose is another story I guess. The AH forend is a fashion statement...
picketpin
Buckeye
Sam: The Schnabel may have become a fashion statement also. I just tried to grasp my newer rifles that have them, a Model 70 Featherweight and a couple of Browning 78s and the sling stud or the slingitself prevents you from putting your hand that far forward, as is it would knock the heck out of your hand upon firing anything with recoil.
The only rifle I own that it might work with as a grip position is an ancient Savage 99 that doesn't have sling studs and has never worn a sling,
Ross
The only rifle I own that it might work with as a grip position is an ancient Savage 99 that doesn't have sling studs and has never worn a sling,
Ross
Silent Sam
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2006
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- 728
I don't doubt it. It probably has been seperated from its original purpose for so long that current versions don't do what the original was designed for... or something like that. ;-).
Frankly and directly, the AH forend should be permanent on every Number One and beavertail FE's used for firewood..........There, 8) you have it. :wink:
picketpin
Buckeye
The only #1s that I have that retain Semi Beaver tail forearms are rifles that came that way and fall into the rare collectable category OR Varmint rifles. Anything I actually hunt with was either purchased as an "S" or and "A". Things that were originally "B" rifles but hunted with are sent back and have the fore arm replaced with AH fore arms.
One, I think they look better.
Two, it is much easier for my damaged left hand and wrist to grasp the much thinner AH fore arm.
RWT
One, I think they look better.
Two, it is much easier for my damaged left hand and wrist to grasp the much thinner AH fore arm.
RWT
