Patch box or no for Colonial-era rifle?

[Corsair]

Just getting ready to pull the trigger (so to speak) on my Kibler Colonial rifle kit.

How common were patch boxes in that period?  Given my desire to build an historically-accurate (1770-ish) piece, would building with/without the box be equally appropriate?  I like the clean look of a box-less stock, but don’t want to make an historical error.

Thanks, guys!!

Ken

[P.Bigham]

Either is correct. 

[deepcreekdale]

P Bigham is correct. It was probably an option requested by the buyer in those days. Guns were made on special order in many if not most cases. Build what YOU want. It will be YOUR gun

[Corsair]

P Bigham is correct. It was probably an option requested by the buyer in those days. Guns were made on special order in many if not most cases. Build what YOU want. It will be YOUR gun

Excellent advice; I'll do just that.  No patch box for me!   

[flinchrocket]

I like the sliding wood box on that gun.

[Frank]

Get the patchbox. No extra charge and it is already fitted. Nice extra touch for all kind of uses. Trust me. you will regret not getting it.

[oldtravler61]

  It's like a butt plate on a gun. Over rated...if ya like them...fine..if ya don't..that's fine too..Yes they accent the looks of the gun... Personally I carry everything in my possible bag..
Oldtravler

[smylee grouch]

As they say, each to his own or different strokes for different folks. I,m in with Frank and like the patch box but one with out would still look nice if not too fancy of wood and stained dark! 

[Corsair]

Thanks, guys.  I'm going without the patch box.  I just can't get past the poor aesthetics of the bulging box lid spoiling the stock's lines.  Hey, if I change my mind in a few months, I'll just build another one!   

[Clark Badgett]

Thanks, guys.  I'm going without the patch box.  I just can't get past the poor aesthetics of the bulging box lid spoiling the stock's lines.  Hey, if I change my mind in a few months, I'll just build another one!   

Poor aesthetics? The patch box, wooden or metal, is one of the distinctive parts of the longrifle. They just look like they belong there. I have found the patch box to be the absolute perfect place to keep the worm, tow and an extra flint.

[flehto]

Although I've never used the brass Pboxes on my builds {all of them have one}, a Pbox is one of  the  highlights of a LR that adds interest to  the  largest  expanse of wood  of a LR. I think of a Pbox as a very large beautiful inlay. I've made all the Pboxes on my LRs and they're a welcome break from working wood.

Perhaps some don't want to inlet such a large, intricate inlay {Pbox} and if that's their choice, so be it. I don't care for the wooden Pboxes because of the likelihood of losing the lids if used a lot. Some say a Pbox covers up the beautiful wood...although the wood has plenty of exposure w/ the rest of the LR. Both of the LRs shown below are fairly early Lancasters.....Fred

[Pete G.]

Look at "Rifles of Colonial America". There are hardly any without boxes, but never say never when dealing with these things. Personally, I think a rifle without a box looks cheap and unfinished.

[gunmaker]

Thanks, guys.  I'm going without the patch box.  I just can't get past the poor aesthetics of the bulging box lid spoiling the stock's lines.  Hey, if I change my mind in a few months, I'll just build another one!   

  you are well and truly hooked my friend, yes make another one......we like photos....

Poor aesthetics? The patch box, wooden or metal, is one of the distinctive parts of the longrifle. They just look like they belong there. I have found the patch box to be the absolute perfect place to keep the worm, tow and an extra flint.

[Corsair]

OK, what do I know?   

I can definitely see the beauty in an inlaid brass patch box, but don’t care for the look of a bulging wooden lid.  A stock’s unobscured side is also the biggest piece of wooden real estate for display of the maple’s curl and figure.

I suspect that all I’m doing is rationalizing my building the first rifle the way I’ve always preferred, but I’m certainly open to the possibility that future projects will cover a range of styles.

[Monty59]

Hello Corsair, I would say the same like Pete G. if you like to build a early style than with a wooden slide one !

Monty

[577SXS]

I've never really liked patchboxes because they cover up so much wood. I actually decided to put a patchbox on my latest build but when I saw the wood I just couldn't cover it up. Some love them and some don't. They are a part of embellishing a gun.
How can you cover wood that looks like this.

[bob in the woods]

Don't cover up the wood . Just make a wooden box lid from the same piece of wood and you'll have the best of both worlds.  I love wood lid boxes and have never ever been afraid I'd lose one since mine lock into position securely .

[Frank]

Thanks, guys.  I'm going without the patch box.  I just can't get past the poor aesthetics of the bulging box lid spoiling the stock's lines.  Hey, if I change my mind in a few months, I'll just build another one!   

A wooden patch box is not bulging when done right. Jim Kibler did it right.