What happened to Millet stocks?

[TaperPin]

Here’s a useless random trivia question from the 1980s - Millet was marketing the kevlar Fiberstock that looked very similar to a later Bell and Carlson. Did Bell and Carlson make the stock for Millet, or did Millet sell their stock business to B&C, is the B&C a copy after Millet stopped selling theirs, or is B&C just a name change?

I have a Millet and everything about it seems higher quality than a B&C, but those goofy sling attachment recesses are unmistakable, and the molded in checkering is identical although more rough on the B&C. The recoil pad on the Millet is definitely the same as used on B&C, but has the name sanded off. My recollection of vintage B&C was the stock felt chunky and cheap, while my 1986 vintage Millet has a better grip and molded checkering is crisp and overall feels like a good quality stock.

The back stories of businesses are usually as interesting as the public side.

 

[TaperPin]

Just now I found a Bell & Carlson of similar vintage that is visually identical and comes with the original box - it will be fun to see what the date is on it.

 

[p-man]

I think B&C made stocks for Millet and for someone else like Uncle Mike's but can't remember for sure. I know the Millet is identical inside and out to the B&C. I've rebuilt enough of both.

 

[TaperPin]

I think B&C made stocks for Millet and for someone else like Uncle Mike's but can't remember for sure. I know the Millet is identical inside and out to the B&C. I've rebuilt enough of both.

I think you are right. The B&C of similar vintage to the Millet showed up, and while the two stocks did not come out of the exact same mold, they are for all practical purposes exactly the same. I didn’t pick apart the type written instructions, but it wouldn‘t surprise me if they came off of the same typewriter.

Those Uncle Mikes slings that came on both stocks always looked better in print than their slick webbing actually worked.

 

[p-man]

Ugly as they may be, I can attest to the fact that the early composite stocks by B&C are as strong and stiff as the best modern-day stocks; just like most things vintage-made, they tended towards being 'over-built' - religously following the premise, "It's better to be safe than sorry."