Simple inletting

[Phil Coffins]

The used rifle that is my current project would benefit from escutcheons at the barrel pins. I thought some may find it interesting to see how I do it. First the escutcheons are made and the edges filed smooth with a bit of draft. The hole for the pin is drilled a few thousands oversized with the back side filed at an angle to allow the escutcheons to tilt to match the stock. Placed on the stock a light line is scribed around it trying to stay under it. Some chock dust shows it for the camera, this allows the balk of the wood to be removed before inletting starts. Once seated the holes are drilled for brass pins that can be made to fit. The tip is peened to act as the head. Filed flat then sanded they nearly disappear.
IMG_0497 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0498 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0499 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0494 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr
IMG_0496 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Col. Batguano]

Great work Phil. Do you glue the nails in place? I've angled them upwards so they go through in to the barrel channel, and then bend them over in to a little channel I cut for them. Then epoxy the channel. Chamfering the inside of the estrucheon holes helps too.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Interesting! I have a friend who told me that another method was to cut some nails out of nickel silver and tap them into place through holes drilled in the escutcheons. I have a rifle I stocked and just epoxied them in but that's a cheesy way of doing it. I need to pin them to make it look right and I'm looking for ideas.

 

[Phil Coffins]

I don’t use epoxy, as up to now none have come loose. On some tiny screws are used or the pins are thin pieces of German silver sheet metal driven in and peened. I haven’t driven them threw or bent them, that would be extra strong where possible. My escutcheons don’t touch the pin or keys so there is little stress on them. Hope these pictures help others add details to their projects.
C0744EA9-2C5C-4462-AA6F-4DC344891BF5 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Col. Batguano]

Now THAT'S the sort of wedgie I like to get!