Brass Patchbox installation help

[Swamp Buck]

I have a question for all you experienced builders out there. When you buy a brass patchbox (pre-shaped) from a supplier such as TOTW or MLBS, I am assuming that the patchbox is flat and not "pre-curved" to fit a rifle stock.

The question is: how or what is the best way to bend it to fit the rifle stock in order to inlet it into the wood? Does the hinge area ever get bent or is this left as straight as possible and bend/curve the rest of the brass patch box to fit the rifle stock.

The patch box type I am refering to is the ones that have 4 pieces to it (2 side plates, patch box lid, and what I think is called the final?).

 

[Zonie]

The patchboxes I've used are flat and require forming to fit the contour of the stock.
This sometimes requires bending the hinged area as well as the flat panals.
You will find that if the hinge is bent very much, it doesn't work very well at first but working it back and forth will loosen it up a bit.

Some links to old posts which you may find useful are given below:
INLETTING A PATCHBOX
LARGE INLAY DEPTHS
FITTING A PATCHBOX
INLAYS AND FORM BLOCKS

I hope this helps a bit.
Zonie