Shaping lock panels

[jamesthomas]

 So, I'm working on a .40 caliber poor boy from a TVM. kit, I've inlaid the lock an triggers, The Lock is a L&R Bailes , About how far from the front of the lock should I start shaping the panel, I'm thinking about 3/8ths of an inch from the front and the rear of the lock. I'm also thinking of a quarter moon steel side plate with a cat or wolfs head  in the middle for a bit of personal touch. I'm waiting on the buttplate that I left at my brothers house to finish it. I've already slimmed down the forestock pretty good already, I know its a poor boy but I'm thinking on what I could use for a cap for the end of the stock, Just kinda of leary about leaving it bare. Thanks.

[Mark Elliott]

That depends on the region the rifle represents.   Some panels are long and pointy on both ends and some are short and round.   It all depends on region, maker, and time period.   It is also builder preference.   I like lock panels pointed on both ends and a little long.    The main thing is that they shouldn't stand out.  That is,  you don't want too much flat wood unless that was definitely the style of the originals.    Generally,  the lock panels should be pretty thin top and bottom, like 1/8".   3/8" front and back is reasonable for rounded panel ends.   The main thing is the the front and the back should be roughly the same thickness from the lock to the farthest point of the lock panel.    Both side panels should be roughly the same shape.   When viewed from above or below, they should appear to terminate at the same spot on both sides.   Don't obsess about this.   I have kept adjusting them until I hardly had any panel left.   Just get them so that they look right on casual inspection.    You don't need to make a template of the lock side and transfer it to the sideplate side.   Nobody will ever be able to tell if they are not exactly alike.   They should just look alike on casual inspection.   You may actually want to shape the sideplate side a little differently on the top and bottom to better frame the sideplate.   If you don't, it could actually look a little odd even if it is exactly the same as the lock panel.