Patchbox designs...sources?

[Tenn Hills Guy]

Been looking for inspiration for my current project.  I've got a collection of the typical Daisy, Horse Head, etc., all in German Silver.  Mr. Alexander said though, don't mix brass and silver!  I just noted D. Taylor's Tutorial patchbox, truly a work of art! (in fact, I printed a copy....best one I've seen!)  Question is though: is/are there  sources for designs only?  Frankly, I just can't make myself use another Horsehead or Daisy.......  Personally, I think a gun should tell a story.  Often I get the impression someone has a few pieces of this or that and cuts them in.....just my opinion.  Looking at the 16th 17th century ornate wheellocks/matchlocks, there seems a common thread expressed in the carving, inlays, etc., religious, demonic, huntsman, sea gods and the like.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Guy, thanks very much for the compliment.  That box was made using images enlarged to full size from photographs of the original.  These can be found at shows, or as is usually the case with me, from books.  In addition, when I see photos of someone else's work that catches my eye, and it happens almost every day, I save the pictures in files on my computer for reference later.
There are a few books whose sole subject is patchboxes, but I don't have'em - yet!

[T*O*F]

One such book is called Patchbox Corners by G.R. Watson printed by Pioneer Press.  It's not much more than a bunch of Xeroxed pages stapled into a cover.  I think another was published called More Patchbox Corners.  DGW may still have it.
Also, all the old Golden Age Arms catalogs had a page of engraving outlines for patchboxes.

You can also buy patchbox blanks with the hinge already formed.  They are square....you transfer your pattern to them and cut them out with a jeweler's saw.  I've got some in stock.

[longcruise]

And, the ALR Antique Gun Collecting library is loaded with photos.

[JTR]

Click this link to go to the library,
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?board=21.0

Scroll down the page for various area makers.
There's at least a couple hundred rifles in the library, and most all of them have pics of patchboxes!

John

[horseman]

 I just checked my catalog and Muzzleloader Builders Supply have a couple of   books you may want to check on.  They, of course, have a web site.  Great people, too.  Good luck.

[Ryan McNabb]

It sounds to me like you're trying to design your own box, in which case you're on your own, artistically.  You're free to do what you wish.  The difficulty in designing something that looks good will tell you why a good design was copied ad nauseum, even among talented artists.  Frederick or John Sheetz comes up with a great design and it gets copied up and down the Valley for 2 generations.

[bob in the woods]

Speaking of the pre-hinged blanks;  are they of the proper brass thickness? I started off buying patchboxes as ready made from suppliers but have moved away from that due to wanting a heavier stock. That, and because the hinges all look the same. Not having handled very many originals, what insight can be had re the patchbox mat'l thickness?

[T*O*F]

Speaking of the pre-hinged blanks;  are they of the proper brass thickness?

The ones I have are, but I've only got a few left.  Those from a certain unnamed supplier are $#@*.  In contrast, those from Jack Garner are of proper thickness.

[bjmac]

what is the proper thickness?

[Dave B]

I like using 20 ga (.037) sheet brass you can find at the hobby store. I use it for both patch boxes as well as rod pipes. I used to use 18 ga. (.048) but found that it was heavier than the originals that I have come across so I started making them from the 20 ga. I think if your trying to replicate a cast box you should use the heavier brass to make it look right. It is scary how thin the old smiths made there brass boxes as well as sheet inlays.

[Tenn Hills Guy]

Thanks for the suggestions, Gents.  I did look at many of the pics here.  I was admittedly struck by a couple of the Schreckengost rifles.  I guess this is a two edged sword, whether to take liberties in artisic expression, or essentially produce a replica of someone's work or particular locale.  Do you want to make something that is readily identifiable as to maker, year, County, or take your chances with your own creation?  No right answer here, I think.  I have no problem copying...my last three projects have been building a French design wheellock, and 2 Paterson pistols, a no.1 Baby and a No.5 Texas, trying to replicate as close as I'm able.  As far as Patchboxes, I think the final test is one's engraving capability.  Seems though the patchbox is that 'slap you in the face' thing somehow we look at first, if that doesn't please you, hard to be impressed by the rest................I think!  Bill

[Cody Tetachuk]

I have a book called "Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes & barrel marks" by Roy Chandler. 400 pages, for the most part, all photographs, 2 buttstocks per page about 760 patchbxes in all. A pretty good reference for ideas. Should be able to get one on the net I would think.

[Tenn Hills Guy]

I checked out the book's availability, a bit steep for me!  You might want to keep your copy in the safe!

[lhill]

FYI, while the 1st ed. is a little steep, (350+) there is a 2nd. ed. printed in 1992 of the book Cody mentioned. I picked one up from Abe Books for @ 140 shipped. search Bookfinder .com highly recommend the book....Good luck with your project!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Actually it is Volume II... so if you buy it you are still missing the 760 in Volume 1...best as I can tell............the prices on these are amazing!!

[Cody Tetachuk]

FYI, while the 1st ed. is a little steep, (350+) there is a 2nd. ed. printed in 1992 of the book Cody mentioned.

Mine was printed in 1972.

[Jim Kibler]

Seems booksellers have turned into diamond merchants.