brass thickness

[corporallouis]

I want to use sheet brass as a "cap" for the end of a wooden patchbox rather than leave it as bare wood. What would be the best thickness to use ? Thinking .032" . . .  Remember - I live in northern Canuckistan on a little island off the coast of Nova Scotia and we have NOTHING up here to use as examples.     (Spent years as a Fortress Louisbourg milicien so I know my way around muzzleloaders. Just wish I could snag one of the 1734 Tulles they have by the truckload . . 

[smallpatch]

I would go a little thicker, but probably isn't  necessary.  It's only purpose so to protect the dovetail corners.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I use brass that is a little thicker than the butt plate where it rests, so I can file it down to match the butt plate..  But that again, is likely overkill.

[Not English]

I' go with something heavier as well. You're going to pin it to the end of the patch box lid. The next step is to file the patchbox to match the butt plate. You need to file from the butt plate to the top edge of the patchbox lid. It should be as smooth as possible (not always possible). it should look like a smooth transition though.

[Acer Saccharum]

The end of the patchbox cover will need to be rasped to follow the contour of the buttplate. Once you've got it to the length you like, and the end of the cover fits the flow of the buttplate, NOW is the time to fit a plate to the end. You'll end up taking a little more wood off for the approximate thickness of the brass end cover as you file the brass to the contour of the buttplate. It's nice to have a little extra brass for filing.

If the cover ends up being just a touch too long with the brass piece already installed, you can shave a little off the front end for the final fit. Then fit your catch spring piece.

[Mike Brooks]

I use 1/16". The originals I have seen used pretty thin brass.  Surviving patchbox lids are quite rare.

[BOB HILL]

1/16 also.
Bob