doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Newbie to the forums -What but plate on a pinfire?

New to the forums, been lurking a little while and figured it would be a good idea to make an account. (couldn't see an obvious introductions thread)

Interests are the same as you, just enjoying old double guns. I do some part time gunsmithing, mainly stocking, chequering and finishing, but also do quite a lot of restorations so touch on rib relaying fairly frequently, barrel browning, re jointing. Between all that i very occasionally actually manage to get out shooting.

My question to you fine gents today concerns a project i am working on at the moment. The gun is a rather beat up old english pinfire double circa 1874. In the past the stock had been shortened by an inch, and done well as weights were repositioned at the same time to retain a good balance, the original solid metal but-plate was also cut down to fit the shortened stock.

The gun already has a cracked and repaired stock and restocking it is not an option, it would never sit right on the gun as all the metal work is very worn so fresh wood work would never look right. Anyway because of this i decided to add an extension on to the stock, but obviously the original butplate is now far too small.

Knowing that the original had a solid metal but plate ideally this is what i should like to put back on the gun. The plate is of muzzle loader vintage with a long widows peak/ tang. Does anyone know where i might be able to get such an plate in the UK? or have one in their parts box looking lonely?

Failing sourcing a replacement full size metal but plate the other options i can see is using the top and bottom of the original plate to create heal and toe pieces and the checker the center of the but. Attempt to fabricate a replacement, which could be possible using parts from the original. Create a leather covered recoil pad, or use a horn but plate.

It may seem pretty but i want whatever goes on there to sit right with the rest of the gun. I would be interested to hear peoples thoughts. Apologies for the lengthy and trivial first post, hopefully some future posts will be more exciting with some pictures or something!

Can you share with us the maker of the gun?

Certainly the maker is R W Brookes, who worked out of glamorgan swansea around 1874. Nothing fancy back action pinfire with no extractors rotary under lever. I mostly buy a lot of beat up old guns to practice working on different problems and mechanisms.

Aside from a name address and date i know nothing about the maker and have seen no other examples of his work. When made it was probably of reasonable quality, at some point a crack developed at the wrist which was repaired with selous type plates. At some point the stock was shortened and i assume it got some heavy use as the barrels are in poor condition but still original length and have an unusual pattern, not twist not damasc, i would assume they are very poor quality but they look rather striking.

When i received it the ribs were lifting and the gap had been filled with wood putty/filler. The barrels were pitted on the outside. One hammer snapped. Barrels off the face. Everything covered in varnish pitted or rusting.

Ribs have now been re laid. Barrels re jointed. Barrels re browned. Hammer is being welded up. stock has been lengthened. Sympathetically cleaned up. I am under no illusion that i still have the same gun, a beat up old pinfire, it just looks rather nice and has been a good avenue for practice.

Cheers for your reply

could make the butt plate into heel toe plates

I suggest you call up Dixie Gun Works web site and see what they can supply. They might have something with emough "meat" that you can shape it to your liking. They deal in repro as well as original.It has been years since I had a cataloge, but they usually had a good selection. Since it is only a buttplate, I can't believe there would be any comlications with the Customs office.
Mike

I've owned eight pinfires. All had steel butt plates.
Galazan sells them.
http://www.csmcspecials.com/Raw_Steel_Butt_Plate_p/pb700.htm

Cheers for the pointers and the links, much appreciated!

Best wishes,

James.

This fellow might be a good bet and not really too far from you. https://www.peterdyson.co.uk/acatalog/ORIGINAL_PARTS__TOOLS___ACCESSORIES.html Lagopus.....

The hammer is not taking to welding very easily, so i may end up with a larger order than i should like at dysons. Thanks for the link again!

In the end i got the blacksmith to bash the original about a bit to lengthen it out a bit, i has to alter the shape of the stock a little to fit the but plate but not enough to affect the drop or any significant dimensions. javascript:void(0);



From the side, the european walnut extension does not match particularly well as its a lighter honey colored shade. The american walnut i had was too brown and not orange enough, and i have some other walnut i tried ( from NZ walnut ) the stuff i have is quite an orangey shade but it was far too light. A project for another day might be to try extension blending.



The in letting was simple and straight forward, there was a slight knot in right in the center that opened out into a void, but it only barely affected the inlet. The metal obviously got a little over polished when i was finishing up the wood. But i am pleased with how it turned out and i thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures.