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Author Topic: Butt Plate  (Read 4516 times)

sweed

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Butt Plate
« on: October 18, 2012, 05:37:19 PM »
I know it would be a lot of time and work, but is it feasible to forge a butt plate from brass bar stock? I have rather large arm/shoulders and can not seem to find a plate that is shaped like I want that is long enough. :-\
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2012, 05:51:11 PM »
Commonly done.  I've started with 1/8" stock because that's what I had but would prefer around 0.080 thick.  Start by annealing (heat to dull red and cool, can quench if you like) then anneal often.  Or if you have a soft cast brass buttplate they are easy to stretch using a crosspeen hammer.  I've stretched a Reeves Goehring buttplate 3/4" in length and 1/4" in width.



« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 05:54:01 PM by rich pierce »
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Offline Eric Smith

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2012, 05:54:48 PM »
Nice swage block, Rich. Where did you find that? Nice work on the plate, too.
« Last Edit: October 18, 2012, 06:01:44 PM by E. Smith »
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Eric Smith

Offline rich pierce

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2012, 06:47:41 PM »
Quote from: E. Smith on October 18, 2012, 05:54:48 PM
Nice swage block, Rich. Where did you find that? Nice work on the plate, too.
The swage block was found in a friend's basement.  He just knew it was heavy.  It's good but I do wish it had spoon or ladle forms also.  Beggars, choosers, gift horses, lol.
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Andover, Vermont

sweed

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2012, 09:57:04 PM »
Thanks Rich
That's about what I thought, but had not seen any reference to it on this site. Wondered if it was some sort of sacrilege or taboo! Like that swage block too! Some people just have gooood friends. ;D ;D
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Offline T*O*F

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2012, 01:08:43 AM »
Don't think that you need a swage block to do it.  Metal forming has been done for centuries using a leather sandbag.  I have a lead brick that I use.  I form them around impact sockets and do final shaping with body hammers and dollies.
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Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2012, 02:06:16 AM »
Also endgrain hardwood form to hammer into(a log, hollowed out.).
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Offline James

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2012, 05:29:22 AM »
Are you able to forge most styles this way?
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Offline Acer Saccharum

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2012, 05:34:03 AM »
No, mostly rounded heel style Buttplates. The plates with the sharp cornered heels need to be two pieces soldered or cast.
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Offline JCKelly

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2012, 05:39:08 AM »
Just remember to do your forging around room temperature.

Unlike steel, it is not a good idea to form brass while it is hot. Most brass tends to crumble when formed hot. This is because most, not all, brass has a percent or three of lead in it. In sheet or plate the lead is there for improved machinability, in castings it helps make a sounder (if not stronger) casting.

Brass does harden with cold work/forging, now & again you might have to anneal it again.

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Offline KentSmith

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2012, 05:41:35 AM »
I think Eric Kettenburg wrote an article or a thread on the old board about forging a brass buttplate.  I found this
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=21002.0
but it did not look like what I remember.  Might search the archives.
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Don Tripp

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Re: Butt Plate
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2012, 05:58:46 AM »
Frank House swages a brass butt plate in the first Gunsmith's Companion video.
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