I enjoy shooting Eastern mountain rifles. I've already built a large assortment of the classic Pa. rifles and Jagers , etc. . Just don't feel like putting the effort of studying the design , carving art , etc. Older I get at age 77 , the more backwoods gunsmith rifles appeal to me. My favorite .40 cal. Cheat River Preston Co. , W.Va. rifle , is made with naturally rusty iron parts , that survived a shed fire. The stock is walnut scavenged from a friends scrap logs , after he finished cutting timber along the Monongehela River hill , on the Greene Co. side . Used a 3/4" octagon , 38" barrel , to save weight , and is complete with grease hole to hold pregreased patches. Like I said , it's one of my favorite hunting/shooting rifles. Built a friend a light weight .50 cal. deer rifle. The patch box I put on his rifle is a home brew oval shaped type , that side opens using a top latch , and is made , like the rest of the parts , of copper. He is 80 yrs. old , and really liked the suprise copper rifle for his birthday gift. ........... Best to Ya........oldwood
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Why Patch -Boxes &
- Thread starter smokepolehall
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I have a book, name escapes me, by a guy who researched the "old ways" of the mountain gunsmiths, and the methods and materials they used were extremely primitive; they had no shops to deliver supplies via Fed Ex! The author collected many old gunsmith tools and they're in some folk museum in Appalachia, I believe.
They are very useful, for holding jags, pullers, worms etc... You can also keep patching and balls as needed. I agree for the range they are not used
much, but out in the field the uses are endless. They are great for covering perhaps an imperfection in the wooden stock as well. Used for decoration too
much, but out in the field the uses are endless. They are great for covering perhaps an imperfection in the wooden stock as well. Used for decoration too
That’s about the only time I really like patch boxes is to cover that grease hole.
Coinneach
58 Cal.
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Agreed, I far prefer a plain un-carved ML Rifle, sans Patchbox and not overly adorned with Brass.
Coinneach
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I think your talking about Elliot Wiggenton (spelling?) the guy who started the Foxfire series of Books, I've got a couple of them here in Aussie land for the States way back in the 80's.
The volume on Muzzleloading long guns featured a young Hershel House among others, and had some great anecdotes along with a collection of original photos. One of the most interesting was a guy crafting a Rifling guide with a treadle wood lathe.
Its raining here, so i took a saw n cut the curl-spur off of mine this morning. Pleased myself on this rifle. Its a .45 n the bore is on the tight side. Bet it has not had 100 shots through it. Nothing i can really do with the ugly patch box they put on a decent piece of walnut.
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Its a personal preference, I’m not a huge fan of patchboxs.
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I think mine was filled with Beeswax by me, it hardens and looks "cool" but don't have to worry about it anymore!
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I always loved 'em. Like when you're a kid and it seemed to be sort of a secret compartment-type thing. (Age 9; Crockett craze!) Handy for extra flint, small tools like ball puller, plug of tobacky, etc.
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Yes used a hack'em saw n files then 320 grit sandpaper. Installed again. Now fixing to do a search for a patina for that horrible shiny brass.
longcruise
70 Cal.
Just shoot it. It'll dull up nicely.
brushyspoons
36 Cl.
Why patchboxes? Because they were common on originals. Isn't that the same reason we more often than not use octagon barrels as well?
Oh darn, are we suppose to have octagon shaped barrels ? 2 of mine are round but not smooth bores.
Gtrubicon
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Rub the brass down with a dirty patch after swabbing your bore.
All of my rifles are sans patchbox. My preference is towards a sleek, plain, unadorned iron mounted rifle. My issue with patchboxes is that they cover up a portion of the largest expanse of wood on the rifle. For me the beauty of a rifle is in it's architecture, not it's adornment. However, I do have to admit that I do admire the skill, craftsmanship and artistry that goes into the finer patchboxes.
