cut the screw.Removed the apparently-nonperiod dragon sideplate from my trade-gun, and replaced it with leather "washers" i made by hand.
View attachment 69937
View attachment 69938
View attachment 69939
The top lockscrew must be longer than the left one, because I had to stick two additional (albeit thinner) leather "washers" under the head *and* file the screw down some in order to prevent it from sticking too far through the lockplate. In spite of that, I think I marked the face of the cock when the screw was too long, and I ordered a new cock regardless.
Spare parts are always good to have on hand
NW