Off topic question moved.

[rmonday2]

I have always wondered why the patch box was invented to begin with. Outside of cosmetic appearance, it seems impractical to carry one item in the stock,and the rest in a horn and possibles bag, when that item too was/is handier out of the bag.

Has anyone read/heard of a legitimate reason for this invention?

Not sure if this is where to post this either?

Thanks as always in advance for any informaton, Ronnie

 

[khwils]

It does seem odd that you would carry a bag with everything but your patches. Is "patchbox" a 21 century name?? Kurt

 

[CrackStock]

I hate these things.

But, I think that many people kept a tool, patch worm, a few patches and even a ball or two in there for short hunting trips. Then all they needed was a powder horn.

CS

 

[Zonie]

I would guess that they were used to carry tow or other cleaning materials and perhaps a few spare flints?
In the guns I've read about which were examined, they showed no evidence of grease being stored in them.

As they seemed to be present on the old Germanic rifles (Jaegers) and evolved into the metal covered types, they must have had a good use in the eyes of the users. Otherwise, they would have vanished like the slings which were also found on the Jaegers.

Actually, I can see more good uses for a sling more than I can for a patchbox. ::

 

[dlemaster]

Zonie
Iwould agree with you, most rifles I've seen show no grease in the box. Although I did own an original Nicholas Hawk rifle that the corners and crevices for the spring were full of old tallow.

Regards, Dave

 

Yes, "patchbox" is a late name for this feature, originally just called a 'box'. See Wallace Guslers series of articles in the MuzzleBlasts mag last year on original nomenclature. The originals probably were used to carry small tools (such as tow worms) and patching and the name evolved.

It does seem odd that you would carry a bag with everything but your patches. Is "patchbox" a 21 century name?? Kurt

 

[rmonday2]

I just assumed that had always been what they were called. It's possable it was for other uses.

 

[Stumpkiller]

The original shooting bags seldom have inner pockets. Everything small would end up in the bottom, and a ripped seam or lost pouch would leave you stuck. Also possible to "snag the jag" pulling out something else and drop it without noticing.

Also, when a barrel was made it was a unique product. The "standard" mandrels and rifling heads of any smith would not necessarily be the same as another. The jag/worm and other small implements (and the ball mould) would have been custom made and sold with it. The box is the logical place to store the small items that accompany a rifle.

Probably it was mostly a fashion statement. The overcoats of the time had buttons and false pocket flaps that serve no purpose.

Do you really keep gloves in your car's glove box?

 

[musketman]

The "poor boy" rifle has a grease hole in the stock, not even a lid to cover it...

I always believed the patch box was for holding some type of patch greese...

 

The problem with that is that so few old rifles show any evidence of grease in the box![from what I have read and seen]

The "poor boy" rifle has a grease hole in the stock, not even a lid to cover it...

I always believed the patch box was for holding some type of patch greese...

 

[musketman]

The problem with that is that so few old rifles show any evidence of grease in the box![from what I have read and seen]

I agree, I wouldn't do that, the gun cost too much to fill the stock's recess with rendered fat, I wonder if that was the general consensus back then too...

 

[albert]

I have two original rifles that have traces of old grease/lube in them ,and I have a friend that also has one.

 

[Kevin M]

I think the reason for the patchbox was just in case you got seperated from items in your bag. Running through the woods things might have bounced out. You get spooked and yank your hand out of your bag and don't have time to pick up what fell out. Your bag gets wet in the river and your rifle is held up out of it. Just a precaution. I have a worm and tow in mine and have never had to use it knock on wood.

 

[Kevin M]

Another thing a few people in my group do is keep a couple of rolled cartridges in their patch box. So if they are seperated from their pouches they will have a couple shots.

On another note, I always thought the hole in the stock on the Southern rifle was so they could get bottlecaps off. ha ha

 

[hobbles]

I keep patches in mine,, don't know where I came up with that idea tho,,,