Side opening patchboxes

[Curt Larsen]

I'm considering adding a side opening patchbox to the Lancaster I'm finishing up.  I haven't decided on an opening mechanism  and wonder if any of you have some good methods that have worked for you.  Hopefully the simpler the better.  I didn't see anything in the archives after a quick look.  Thanks for the help.

Curt

[Birddog6]

Like this ?

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=11152.0

[flehto]

On the 2 side opening Pboxes  on Lancaster LRs shown in RCA 1, the button is in the Bplate heel disguised as a screw. I've used this location on a few LRs and used a separate button made from an unthreaded portion of a  flat head screw w/ the slot filed off. The push rod is made from a length of approx. 1/8" nail. Using a separate button allows the hole to be centered in the heel and the screw "head" is inside the heel and  contacts  the rod. The catch  riveted to the  the lid and the latch spring mounted to the bottom of the recess  are of standard design.....Fred

[Curt Larsen]

Thanks Keith.  I obviously missed that thread.  The patchbox Rich Dillon shows is pretty neat.  I wish there were more photos though.  Fred, I'll have a look at RCA 1 this morning.  Thanks again.
Curt

[Tom Currie]

This is a side opening release that I built. My pushrod came into the cavity very low  :(so I put the latch on a pivot pin that comes in from under the buttplate.

[flehto]

Evidently the Lancaster builders when installing a side opening Pbox didn't follow the Bucks County builders whose release was hidden under the toeplate and instead went through the B plate heel.....Fred

[Curt Larsen]

flehto (Fred), do you have any photos of your release system in the heel of the butt plate?

[flehto]

Only the button protruding from the heel. Take a fairly large wood screw that has an unthreaded portion and saw it off. File off the slot and make the top of the head flat. I "Kasenit" this flat surface. A large nail  has both the head and pointed end sawed of and a spherical radius is filed on both ends. The Bplate heel has a slip fit hole drilled at a right angle to accept the "button" shank and this hole location is marked on the wood underneath the heel.  A hole is then drilled for the  pushrod . Another spherical radius is filed on the small end of the "button". The catch and latch spring are pretty standard items.... Hope this helps....Fred

[Curt Larsen]

OK, thanks.  I think I can visualize what you're doing now.  It is a neat variation on the one piece pushrod through the heel.