Patchbox or not?

[Otter]

I like the look of a patch box on a long rifle and they might not look right without one. That being said, I don't use the ones I have and could easily do without.

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Click Here[/url] to link to Bill Shipman's Gallery, well worth looking at. Just click on the detailed gallery for each rifle. I don't have any interest or affiliation with Bill Shipman, I just thoroughly enjoy his fine work.

ParadiseRoad,
I am also a fan of Bill's work. I especially like the 1780's Dickert on his web site.

My reaction to the patch box question would be that if I could afford to have Shipman build me a rifle I would go with his suggestions about the box. The Dickert Rifle mentioned above has a Lancester style patch box beautifully executed on a piece of marvelous maple. In my opinion They enhance each other rather than detract from each other.

I would add that if the regional style normally used a particular detail - brass box, sliding box, no patch box, etc - I would likely go with the regional style. If the regional had considerable latitude, then I would have a decision to make - probably following the maker's advice. My preference for consistency with regional styles is my opinion only.

Regards,
Pletch

 

[sniper68]

Of course your choice!!! But two key words in your statement are, CUSTOM and FINEST MAPLE :hmm:. I'm by no means an expert, there are several other
ones on this Fourm that are. I have handled many originals thru the years and have noticed that most that had wooden boxes and not re-stocked were a plainer wood and of earlier vintage. It seems that on average the ones with better wood had patch boxes. Done properly, I think a patch box only inhances a finely stocked rifle. Again you need to do your researsh and deciede how PC you want to be, as you copy any peticular maker or school.
Your money, your gun. Have fun and do what ever you want......I don't think you'll ever have buyers remorse iffin you give your decesion a little time to research and do some head scratchin. :thumbsup:

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Sniper68,
Very nice rifles! The top two look like good examples of Lanchester influence. Tell us a little more about the bottom one
Regards,
Pletch

 

[Ephraim]

It makes a good snack box. And I like M&M's when I am A hunting.

Ephraim

 

[markinstettler]

From an aesthetics perspective, there's little doubt that a patch box is nice. But I'm a practical guy...well sorta. So I just wanted other's impressions on practical items to store in a patch box.

Keeping all those tools that get used every so often, but are absolutely crucial when called for, in a patch box would easily justify the price for me personally. (Just yesterday, I was out shooting and loaded without powder. If I didn't have my ball puller, the drive home would have been an especially frustrating one.)

 

[blacksmithman64]

Unless you go with a poor boy style rifle, get a patch box! Its what gives the american longrifle that distinction.I don't use mine,but it sure looks good!

 

[paulvallandigham]

A wooden patch box on a tennessee Poor Boy Rifle would cover up that grease hole nicely, and would be in keeping with the plain style of the gun. Anything made of metla, even iron, would tend to detract from the gun's overall appearance, although you will find many Southern Style rifles with iron patch boxes. Hershel House has made several of these and His guns do look great.

 

[DrTimboone]

Mad Dog, I am in the process of ordering a precarve for a Peter Berry rifle. Choice of #5 wood or #7.

If I were choosing the #7 I would consider a wooden patch box, but since Berry did such beautiful and characteristic brass patchboxes, I will go with #5 wood with good curl in the forestock and put the patchbox on the butt. Either would be appropriate. Were I you I would listen to Bill Shipman, he is one of the most knowledgeable, accurate and artistic builders ot there. I don't think he will steer you wrong. :thumbsup:

 

When I purchased my first longrifle I didn't think I needed a patch box and all the brass for hunting. Now I regret not having one. Whether you use for tools, snacks or not at all, a brass patch box adds to the looks of a longrifle.

In the book, Rifles of Colonial America,vol 1, there's a Lancaster rifle, no. 79, attributed to Issac Haines with a two piece box which looks nice on the rifle and does not take up much space on the stock. You may not have this book ,but your builder probably does.

 

[jlynn]

Just curious Dr. Boone-are you going to inlet the patchbox "offcenter" as Berry Jr. tended to do?