Patchbox screws

[Scota4570]

I need to buy screws to attach the inlays and patchbox on rifle.  The rifle  is in the style of John Armstrong.  I'll need a bunch of small uplated steel woodscrews.  I was thinking #3, flat head, 3/8" or 1/2".  I looked at blacksmith supply and got confused.  I would like thinner slots that deplated hardware store screws.  It that possible?  Flat head or domed head, which is more correct? 

I wish I could get a sample pack of bulk pack of misc. long rifle screws. 

Anyone have ideas?   

Thanks,

Scot

[PPatch]

The Blacksmithbolt.com site is a bit primitive, agree, and it takes careful browsing to understand how to order. It can be done though, even I was able to do it.  I was very satisfied once the screws arrived however and their prompt delivery. Maybe give them a try again.

I believe their #7 or #8 Flat Head Steel Wood Screw (7x1/2" or 8x1/2") would work for patchbox screws.

http://www.blacksmithbolt.com/store/c/28-Flat-Head-Steel-Wood-Screws.aspx

Its great having 100ea of all the screws I commonly use.

dave

[LRB]

 I may be entirely wrong, but I believe your final screws should be a very low dome head, after using other screws for fitting. Maybe someone more knowledgeable than I will chime in.

[JTR]

There's guys on here that own original Armstrong rifles, alas, I'm not one of them. But, from what I remember, Armstrong used a domed head screw. Although the dome isn't as high as a modern dome head screw. Also, the screw slots wouldn't be real narrow, say like an English screw. In fact, the slot would be probably at least as wide as a modern screw.

Maybe someone with more personal experience will clarify this a bit better,
John

PS, Ooops, LRB beat me to it.

[PPatch]

One could easily make a "low domed" screw head out of a flat or one of the domed screws on offer at blacksmithbolt.

dave

[Scota4570]

Any guess on  what size screws would be the closest match?

http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2013/10/work-by-john-armstrong-at-james-julia.html

Click on the bottom rifle,

image 13 of 19

[Jack Baier]

making domed head screws out of regular flatheads lets you make the screw look the way you want it to.just make sure you alter the screws before you cut any countersinks.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The screws in that rifle look to me to be perhaps #4's or #6's.  I like mine to be at least 1/2" long, and prefer 5/8" - 3/4".  Also, on some boxes, you'll want a larger headed screw, perhaps a #6 - #8, especially for the screws in the head of the box.

[Mark Elliott]

One could easily make a "low domed" screw head out of a flat or one of the domed screws on offer at blacksmithbolt.

dave

I do this for brass patchboxes.    I file the screws off flat with the surface.   Then, I back them out; deepen the slot, if necessary; and ever so slightly dome the head taking off the sharp edge.   This matches most of the screws on original guns I have seen.   Iron mounted guns seem to have more oval headed screws and I like to use those in the finial of a two-piece iron patchbox.