sliding patchbox lid retention

[bones92]

Just curious... does anyone use a leather thong to keep a sliding patchbox lid from falling out and being lost (i.e. in the event it's not fully locked when closed)?

What are other ways to keep a sliding patchbox lid from being inadvertently lost?

[Pukka Bundook]

Hello Bones,

I'd say a decently strong spring is all you need. Never lost mine.  (yet!)

[Bigmon]

I have often thought about the same thing.  Have been meaning to try and make a leather thong of some type for just the same reason.
As I get older and less sure footed I find myself often steadying myself with my rifle of some 25+ years.  I am far more concerned with slipping or falling than a few marks on the old veteran rifle that has served me so very well.
But I do not want to lose this original lid either and now that you mention it, I will make it my next project.  Just a simple little thong tacked to the inside of the lid and recess and long enough to allow full removal.
Thanks

[smylee grouch]

I have never tried it but thought a strip of brain tanned deer would be ok if you can figure out where to fasten it.

[hanshi]

The idea makes lots of sense and the cure sounds simple.

[rsells]

A few years back I took a rifle made by James Kline in on trade, and it had some type of string material attached to the wood patch box lid with the other end attached inside the box cavity.  It worked great.  Just enough length to remove the lid.  I sold the rifle without taking pictures or measurements.  I wish I had taken notes because I would like to use a similar configuration down the road.
                                                                           Roger Sells

[Black Hand]

Just curious... does anyone use a leather thong to keep a sliding patchbox lid from falling out and being lost (i.e. in the event it's not fully locked when closed)?

What are other ways to keep a sliding patchbox lid from being inadvertently lost?

No - I use nothing other than the spring already part of the lid.

[thelongrifle]

A properly installed latch has kept all of mine in for years.

[Pukka Bundook]

I can imagine string /leather binding up, if you use your box for carrying the usual stuff, ..spare flint, leather, worm &  puller, etc.
Secure catch should be all we need I think.

[Majorjoel]

My lid makes a very soft but pronounced "click" when I slide it shut.  Then, I always try and pull it out without depressing the spring tip.    It will not come out!   

It is just one of the duties of ownership with the sliding P\B system.  IMHO, a retaining lanyard would get in the way of your stored items inside the box cavity and is not something you find in original's.

[Telgan]

If you are hunting and don't want to temp fate - even with a secure catch - a small and discretely placed piece of brown or camo duct tape over just a bit of the dovetail joint on the butt plate will ease your worry and keep your box lid on even in a hurricane.

[Hungry Horse]

You guys do realize that losing the box cover is the reason that brass, and iron, boxes got invented. Almost every antique rifle in museums, that had a sliding wood patchbox either has lost it, or it is a replacement. It’s called evolution.

  Hungry Horse

[Pukka Bundook]

Old Hoss,

I'll let you know when I lose mine.  It's took me about 25 years to Not loose it..   

[Old Ford2]

Large nail !? 
Fred

[bones92]

Fred, I was wondering about that, too.   Perhaps a nail that protrudes from the bottom of the patch box lid that prevents the lid from sliding all the way out (while keeping the edge of the lid still within the guide rails.)

Another idea would be a strip of slightly-curved spring steel mounted to the forward end of the bottom side of the lid, that curls away from the bottom surface, and catches on the back of the box cavity before the lid is completely open.   To remove the lid completely, just slide a thin blade under the lid to keep the spring from catching.

[Old Ford2]

Fred, I was wondering about that, too.   Perhaps a nail that protrudes from the bottom of the patch box lid that prevents the lid from sliding all the way out (while keeping the edge of the lid still within the guide rails.)

Another idea would be a strip of slightly-curved spring steel mounted to the forward end of the bottom side of the lid, that curls away from the bottom surface, and catches on the back of the box cavity before the lid is completely open.   To remove the lid completely, just slide a thin blade under the lid to keep the spring from catching.

Hi
 My silly comment was teasing, but Bones92 has it right on.
Simple, easy, and would stop any rattles.
Great idea!
Fred

[Pukka Bundook]

Bones,

A nail would foul on anything you had in the patch box I think.

Another idea would be a strip of slightly-curved spring steel mounted to the forward end of the bottom side of the lid, that curls away from the bottom surface, and catches on the back of the box cavity before the lid is completely open.   To remove the lid completely, just slide a thin blade under the lid to keep the spring from catching.

Isn't this more or less how many are arranged already Bones?

Mine have a button at the back that has to be raised to allow the box lid to be withdrawn.  If the spring is half decent, I don't think we need another spring in there.
Below is a rendition of an old one from the 1500's.
It's a bit different but works.  (Button pulled up, and on bottom of stock)