Another Patchbox Question

[hanshi]

There are two completed flintlocks with patchboxes in my safe.  I've contemplated for some time about installing a latch or them.  A builder, I am not, just a home tinkerer.  I suppose I could cobble up a working latch - prefer that to buying a latch kit - but don't know if doing this on a nice, finished rifle would be a good idea.  I don't want to damage the stock finish or the box.  Any advice is appreciated. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The simplest latch is like that found on many southern mountain rifles...a springy "nail" set into the cavity that just catches the box lid at the back end.  that way, you don't need to alter the lid in any way.
Otherwise, it is necessary to file out a peg that is riveted and soldered to the lid and which has a notch in it to catch a spring loaded hook set into the end grain of the butt stock.  With this method, you also have to incorporate a release system, ie:  a push rod from either the heel of the butt plate of the toe plate along the bottom of the stock.  And that means drilling a hole through the stock from either the top or bottom to align with the catch.
With any system, it is best to also include a kick spring that puts the lid under tension when it is closed, so that when you release the lid, the lib flips open by the action of the internal spring.
A third system is a camming spring mounted under the head of the patch box that presses on a piece of metal soldered to the underside of the lid.  To open this lid, which is kept shut by the pressure of that spring under the head of the box, you insert your fingernail into a recess filed into the butt plate and lift up on the box lid which when it reaches a certain point, will snap open by the pressure of the spring having come past the balance point.
Noe of this is difficult to do, but it is usually done while the gun is being buit, not after it is finished.  So good luck - it's not impossible.

[hanshi]

Thank you, Taylor.  I'll give this some thought and try looking at some rifle latches that can help clue me in.

[flehto]

The Pbox lid closer arrangement shown  doesn't have a "latch"....the toggling over center holds the lid down. The pics shown are of a Pbox on my first LR built in 1977 and the  simplicity of the closer doesn't produce any wear. Works great and only 2 parts are needed....one is soldered onto the lid and the leaf spring is screwed down to the bottom of the cavity.....Fred 

[hanshi]

Thanks, flehto, that looks simple enough that I could likely do one.

[Scota4570]

You could also hide a flat spring under the fixed side of the box lid.  The cam will then work the same but no space is used in the storage compartment.  And the flat spring being plain old flat is much easier to make. 

[flehto]

Good idea....that was my first LR build and I was young, dumb and stupid back then....but to this day, I don't use the Pbox for storage.....Fred

[Jerry V Lape]

I just finished building my first metal patch box and I don't see how you could possibly install one without having to refinish or at least touchup the finish around the edges of the metal.  Obviously since this is my first one I am not an expert and I may not be building any more as I don't use the patch boxes  for anything and prefer the looks of  wood lids.  Might make next rifle with an integral faux wood lid.  Grain match would be perfect and provide a nice surface for good carving as well. 

[hanshi]

This is getting better and better, more ideas to consider.

[smallpatch]

Hanshi,
If you are just doing a latch, I really don’t see any reason you couldn’t install a release without refinish.  You’d need to be very careful, but I think it could be done.  I’d blue tape all the edges you don’t want to damage and have at it.
Maybe we could help more once you decide what type you want to install. 
Area and style will decide what’s proper.