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Author Topic: Finally! First forged buttplate  (Read 6139 times)

eagle24

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Finally! First forged buttplate
« on: July 21, 2011, 07:43:44 PM »
Finally got one finished except for the filing.  Forged from sheet steel, pinned, and brazed with brass in the forge.  I have to remove about 5/8" off the toe and will narrow the butt part about 3/16"  Thickness is right at 1/8" so I have plenty of metal if I decide to file all the forge marks out.  I may leave a few, not sure yet.


« Last Edit: July 21, 2011, 07:45:59 PM by GHall »
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greybeard

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2011, 09:02:07 PM »
Nice work Greg. Don't it just make a body feel good that you didn't throw in the towell?
Bob
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Offline Ken G

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2011, 09:03:19 PM »
Outstanding Greg!  You did real good.  I'd be proud to have that on my rifle. 
Ken
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eagle24

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2011, 10:04:26 PM »
Quote from: greybeard on July 21, 2011, 09:02:07 PM
Nice work Greg. Don't it just make a body feel good that you didn't throw in the towell?
Bob

I didn't throw in the towel, but I threw a few things before I got one done. :D
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Offline alyce-james

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2011, 11:30:41 PM »
Greg; Thanks for sharing your success with us and pictures of the finished hand forged butt plate. This will motivate some others of us to forge ahead. Turkeyfooter.
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LURCHWV@BJS

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2011, 12:32:26 AM »
I like...leave the forge marks, it gives it character.  I've ::) been wanting to forge one in brass.  Maybe I'll start with a handle for a cane I'm making for my granddad.


Rich
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Offline C Wallingford

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2011, 01:57:54 AM »
I knew you could do it. Looks good. Maybe I should be calling you instead of you calling me.
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Offline okieboy

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2011, 05:46:48 AM »
 A nice piece of work. I would like to hear more about how you did it, such as did you use swages. Would also like to see a picture of your forge.
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Okieboy

Offline G-Man

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2011, 04:25:46 PM »
Nice work Greg - that piece has real nice proportions and shape.

Although you should be proud of your forge work, if it were me I would file out most, if not all of the forge marks, if you want it to look like an original - it would be very rare to see any trace of forge marks left on the iron on a finished rifle - even mountain rifles .  File marks yes, forge marks, usually not.  You could leave a few inside the triggerguard bow, etc. 

Good job!

Guy
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eagle24

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2011, 05:21:01 PM »
Quote from: okieboy on July 22, 2011, 05:46:48 AM
A nice piece of work. I would like to hear more about how you did it, such as did you use swages. Would also like to see a picture of your forge.

I forged the pieces using a swage block, then worked the comb return to a taper on the anvil.  The butt piece I bent hot in my vice after hammering the crown in using the swage block, then I worked it hot on the horn of the anvil to get it like I wanted.  Filed the joint to fit, pinned with an 8d common nail, brazed it in the forge using brass pieces from a cut up cartridge case.  Forge I made from a piece of I-Beam, lined with fire brick to form the fire pot, blower is a fan from an A/C unit.  I'm going to build a shed with two sides and a roof and build a new forge.  The fire pot is too deep and the hearth is too small.  I really didn't know enough when I built my forge, but it works ok.

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Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2011, 06:49:50 PM »
Good job Greg, makes me want to finish the forge I started a couple of years ago. Currently using two fire bricks and a Mapp torch. Works on tangs and other small items but not enough heat there to forge a buttplate!
Dennis
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Offline James

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2011, 02:46:51 PM »
Nice!
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Offline Old Ford2

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2011, 03:15:41 PM »
Nice work!
How do I place an order for twenty more just like it, for July 30.
You do nice work, sir!
You should be some proud.
Best regards
Old Ford
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eagle24

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2011, 03:29:55 PM »
Quote from: Old Ford2 on July 23, 2011, 03:15:41 PM
How do I place an order for twenty more just like it, for July 30.

Well......let's see.  Based on the time I have in it and the coke I burned, I need to get around $600.00 per butt plate to come out ahead.  You need 20, let's see 20 x $600..........will it be cash or check?  Oh wait........July 30.......next year, right? :D
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Offline Old Ford2

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Re: Finally! First forged buttplate
« Reply #14 on: July 23, 2011, 07:07:29 PM »
Line up guys, Greg is taking orders.
Greg is in the House!
Great work!
Old Ford
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Never surrender, always take a few with you.
Let the Lord pick the good from the bad!
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