H&R Bay State shotgun help

otis24 · #1 10-09-2020, 07:23 PM

Hello! Pictured below is my H&R Bay State 20 guage shotgun. This model ended production in 1947. Not sure the actual age of mine. It was in my grandfather's possession when he passed. My brother got it. Then I purchased it from my brother for $15 when I was 13 years old (42 years ago). The forearm was missing and I had to have one made to fit from a newer H&R shotgun. The stock is walnut (?) and the forearm is pine (?). In any event, I'm looking for an original forearm for it. I was told that my grandfather put the dice in the stock. There was a hole carved in the side when I got it. I had a fake Lincoln penny that was dated 1965, the year I was born. I put that in the stock; a total hack job. About 20 years ago, my wife won the coin you see in it now from a slot machine in Cripple Creek Colorado. It had "Legendary Lawmen" on one side and Doc Holliday on the other. Since Holliday was know to be a shotgun man, I had that side showing. My Father-in-law did the install. If I can find an original forearm, I will have dice set into it too. Enjoy the pics!

Ivan the Butcher · #2 10-09-2020, 09:51 PM

On the forend you will probably have to shave the dice to less than half thickness to inlay them.

Ivan

Golddollar · #3 10-10-2020, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otis24

Hello! Pictured below is my H&R Bay State 20 guage shotgun. This model ended production in 1947. Not sure the actual age of mine. It was in my grandfather's possession when he passed. My brother got it. Then I purchased it from my brother for $15 when I was 13 years old (42 years ago). The forearm was missing and I had to have one made to fit from a newer H&R shotgun. The stock is walnut (?) and the forearm is pine (?). In any event, I'm looking for an original forearm for it. I was told that my grandfather put the dice in the stock. There was a hole carved in the side when I got it. I had a fake Lincoln penny that was dated 1965, the year I was born. I put that in the stock; a total hack job. About 20 years ago, my wife won the coin you see in it now from a slot machine in Cripple Creek Colorado. It had "Legendary Lawmen" on one side and Doc Holliday on the other. Since Holliday was know to be a shotgun man, I had that side showing. My Father-in-law did the install. If I can find an original forearm, I will have dice set into it too. Enjoy the pics!

That is really creative.

Valmet · #4 10-10-2020, 05:54 AM

Interesting. Any idea what makes the “Bay State” model unique?

Old_Cop · #5 10-10-2020, 06:42 AM

There's a story for everything on that shotgun, I'd leave it alone.

otis24 · #6 10-10-2020, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valmet

Interesting. Any idea what makes the “Bay State” model unique?

Not sure what makes it unique. I had heard that perhaps it was made for a particular hardware store or department store.

Drm50 · #7 10-10-2020, 07:38 AM

Hmmm, there has been an open bounty on Bubba the welder, the Screw Noid and the Artful Carver. They where last seen headed SW. Do you drive a green YUGO?

Golphin · #8 10-10-2020, 09:03 AM

I have a 410 like that one less the stuff on the stock of course. It was one of the first guns I ever hunted with as I carried it squirrel hunting with my dad as a youngster. That was over 60 years ago and it was not new then. I would guess your best bet at finding the forearm would be ebay.

otis24 · #9 10-10-2020, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Cop

There's a story for everything on that shotgun, I'd leave it alone.

Never gave it much thought, but I suppose that my additions have become part of the history of the gun.