flat or oval?

[elk killer]

after reading and studing the latest American Tradition,
the iron beauties seem to have used both flat head and oval head screws,
talking the originals, after looking at several more pictures of original rifles,
it seems both were used,,but of course not on the same rifle,
so what determined what to use?? what made the gunsmith decide flat or oval screws?

[The other DWS]

Just guessing, but probably a combination of economics (availability and customer preference) and tradition (training and personal preference).

Is there a recognizable distribution pattern (time, geography) to screw/bolt head use?

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

Here are two buttplate screws from a Tulle trade gun, both are slightly dome headed and countersunk.


Here is a buttplate screw from an English trade gun that is dome headed, not countersunk, it fits it just a simple hole in the buttplate, without the countersink.



Here is a flathead countersunk screw from a percussion era gun, a lot like a modern screw.



I know this does not answer the question, but I hope it does generate interest in this topic.

Jim

[Dphariss]

after reading and studing the latest American Tradition,
the iron beauties seem to have used both flat head and oval head screws,
talking the originals, after looking at several more pictures of original rifles,
it seems both were used,,but of course not on the same rifle,
so what determined what to use?? what made the gunsmith decide flat or oval screws?

In most situations the domed head looks better. It also gives better mechanical purchase for the turn screw without getting so far down into the head as the weaken it excessively.
Its a better design.
Dan

[JDK]

it seems both were used,,but of course not on the same rifle,

It is not at all uncommon to see flat and round/oval head screws on the same rifle....or screws filed to match a contour.  In some applications it obvious why they did it that way and in others it is a complete mystery and I guess will remain so.  J.D.K.

[Robby]

On the two screws, where it can be seen, the slots for the driver appear to be tapered to a round bottom, rather than parallel to a flat bottom.
is this the norm, or created from wear, or am I seeing it wrong?
Robby

[The other DWS]

it appears that the flat bottomed perpendicular and straight sided screw slots perfectly centered in the screw head are a relatively modern evolution.  I'm trying to figure out how to take modern screws and rework them to look older

[John Archer]

You can rework modern screws by hammering them into a countersink in a steel block and then refiling the slot. Most modern screws have too high a dome and this helps to flatten them out a little. Filing the slot a little off center is a nice touch...done sparingly on just two or three screws on the rifle.

John.

[Bob Roller]

I would say that in an 18th and 19th century gunsmith shop that the use of screws was dictated by what was in the drawer or on top of the bench. I know they didn't have a screw lathe a couple of feet behind them that they could make any screw with they wanted in a minute or less. I make all my screws no matter what they are for. Bolts and nuts as well if needed. A new draw bar for the mill is next as far as longer than normal bolts are concerned.

Bob Roller