patchbox info

[barebackjack]

Hey all,

I recently purchased the book "Recreating the Pennsylvania Longrifle", and the DVD on building by James Turpin. Both are great, but neither really go into patchboxes and their release mechanisms.

The installation of a metal box is relatively simple, but the wood patchboxes seem somewhat more intricate or tricky. I have no rifles to look at or use as references so that is also a problem.
Some question:
Is the wood for the lid cut from the stock, or another source? (Assuming you are working from a "pre-carved" stock).
What design is it to slide and stay put? (Im guessing dovetailed of some sort).
What sort of release mechanism is common or best?

For metal boxes what sort of release mechanism is common, or easiest to install, or most reliable?

Ive seen the fancy "hidden button" release in TOTW, but this seems like it would be more difficult to install. The simple flat springs seem easy enough, but how in fact do they work?

Any help, pictures of releases on guns, pictures of installation would be great.

As always, thanks for the help guys.

Boone

 

[LRB]

I find that the sliding wood type is easier than the metal. The latch is very simple and easily made. The hard part for me is fitting the meatal plate on the rear, but it really is just time consuming to get a tight hair line fit. I strongly suggest getting the book, "RECREATING THE AMERICAN LONGRIFLE" by Buchele, Shumway, and Alexander. It gives a good treatise of how to do the wood type, and has good illustrations.

 

[Zonie]

I guess it depends on who you buy your stock from, but Dick Greensides, owner of Pecatonica River has always sent the piece of wood that is the width of the forestock wide X about 3/8 thick X about 3 feet long that was cut off of the stock to form the forend of the stock.

By sanding the surface of this piece flat, then cutting the piece into a couple of pieces about 10 inches long, they can be glued together to make a wooden patchbox blank that will match your stock perfectly.
The resulting 3/4 inch thick glue-up will provide more than enough wood for a sliding patchbox.

zonie

 

[Ed Wenger]

Boone... I agree with Wick, I also like the look of a wood patch box and find them easier to make. They are made either from two pieces of wood or from a single piece. A lot of contemporary builders (including myself) build them with two pieces, although the vast majority of original makers made them from a solid piece of wood. Dovetails are used to guide the lid and hold it in place, as well as a simple spring steel catch.
Your question about making the box from the same wood as the stock is a good one. Most contemporary builders will say the lid should match the grain of the stock as close as possible. I have seen very few original rifles where this is the case. There's fairly strong feelings both ways, but I don't think one or the other is "wrong".
There are many catches that can be used for the brass patch box. The type you mentioned from TOW work well. Peter Alexanders book "The Gunsmith of Grenville County" goes over patch boxes fairly well and gives some good illustrations of releases.