Patch Box release

[Bart]

Does anyone have pictures of the inside of a box like this one that Hershel House made? I am trying to learn how to make a release like the one pictured.

[bgf]

That appears to me to be the type of release that is simply a cut nail with the head shaped to hold the lid down.  The nail is then spring-tempered and driven in to the bottom of a small recess provided for it to clear the lid.  Here's a handy post: http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=2613.0

[rsells]

I had one of Hershal's rifles with this type of patchbox on it, and he used two nails with a latch attached for a head to hold the lids shut.  It was just nailed into the stock with enough clearance at the upper end of the hole for the nail to allow it to move back allowing the lid to be released.  Worked great.
                                                                                    Roger Sells