Purpose of extended top and bottom tang?

[IvW]

Not much available on internet.

What is the purpose of extended top and bottom tang on double rifles?

Strengthening the pistol grip area on heavy recoiling calibers?

 

[baxterb]

I’ve always understood it to be strength. Also looks damn nice.

 

[IvW]

Yes they do look cool

 

[Commish]

Strength is a major reason. But I think you see it on best quality guns nowadays just cause it’s so dang pretty.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I should think the top tang would add more strength than the bottom one, but having both would be best. If Cal was still with us he could shed light upon it.

 

[baxterb]

I should think the top tang would add more strength than the bottom one, but having both would be best. If Cal was still with us he could shed light upon it.

yup. He would have some nugget of info to make us all marvel in wonder…

 

[ET1775]

May also help with increasing weight and improving balance?

 

[KJE81]

As far as I understand it both the extended top- and bottomstraps are for strenght for heavy recoiling calibres. The same goes for the Rigby forend latch. Nowdays I think these additions are more because they look nice then for the added strenght they might bring. My double rifle for example, has all three, even though it is only in .375 Flanged Magnum.

 

[VertigoBE]

As far as I understand it both the extended top- and bottomstraps are for strenght for heavy recoiling calibres. The same goes for the Rigby forend latch. Nowdays I think these additions are more because they look nice then for the added strenght they might bring. My double rifle for example, has all three, even though it is only in .375 Flanged Magnum.



View attachment 499257

View attachment 499258

Very nice double!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

As far as I understand it both the extended top- and bottomstraps are for strenght for heavy recoiling calibres. The same goes for the Rigby forend latch. Nowdays I think these additions are more because they look nice then for the added strenght they might bring. My double rifle for example, has all three, even though it is only in .375 Flanged Magnum.



View attachment 499257

View attachment 499258

I never tire of seeing your double KJ, work of art.

 

[KJE81]

Very nice double!

Thank you.

 

[KJE81]

I never tire of seeing your double KJ, work of art.

Thank you.

 

[Major Bonkers]

Yes, the purpose is to strengthen the stock, in particular at the grip. You will find that a lot of old English shotguns are broken and repaired at this point. As a general observation, continental guns seem to have longer and more robust tangs than English rifles.

An alternate way of strengthening the stock is through a Selous plate or by extending a long bolt from the action through the interior of the stock.

I have seen photographs of field repairs of broken stocks: there is a trick of taking - ? - gut or leather, winding it around the break, and allowing it to dry and tighten.

The 'Rigby forend latch' is also referred to as a Harvey lever.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Extended tangs are actually useful on ANY rifle that is exposed to hard use. The strength added through the vulnerable grip area can prevent a broken stock, which does happen.

I ordered extended tangs on my GM rifle and Reto Buehler did a very nice job fitting them.

 

[crs]

lvw,
Thanks for asking that question. I had wondered about it too, but never cared enough to ask.

 

[IvW]

As far as I understand it both the extended top- and bottomstraps are for strenght for heavy recoiling calibres. The same goes for the Rigby forend latch. Nowdays I think these additions are more because they look nice then for the added strenght they might bring. My double rifle for example, has all three, even though it is only in .375 Flanged Magnum.



View attachment 499257

View attachment 499258

WOW!!! Thanks for posting, beatiful double....

 

[KJE81]

WOW!!! Thanks for posting, beatiful double....

Thank you

 

[steve white]

Plus, it gives more engraving coverage...