Looking for the proverbial "needle in the haystack"... forend iron and wood for L.C. Smith 5E 20ga.. Crown Grade would do. Found a fine 5E 20ga. with Jotsam Anti Flinch pad and 13 1/4" LOP to mid position single trigger. Should be about the equivalent of 13 3/4" LOP to front trigger.
Looking for opinions on what to put on the butt. Existing pad mushroomed but soft. The gun's metal is all original, wood been refinished a few times.
I am considering a leather covered pad 1" or 1 1/4" thick to replace the existing. Would most serious collectors leave it as is? I do not believe the Jotsam was available in 1911, so is probably not original.
Does anybody know when the Jotsam hit the market?
If most would think the leather covered pad to be a positive attribute, would I be wise to extend the LOP with a longer leather covered pad, or leave it with a 1" pad? My eye finds that anything over 1" pad looks bad, unless it is a leather covered pad.
Just interested in what a more seasoned collector might consider wise to do with such a rare collectible gun. I am going to shoot it and would appreciate the lengthened version.
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Jay