Some Ohio rifle questions

[Roger B]

I'm moving along very quickly on a Vincent flint, fullstock, kit build and have some questions.
1.  How did the Vincents or other Ohio smiths finish their iron parts?
2.  When they used toeplates, what characteristics did they have?
Roger B.

[smokinbuck]

Roger,
I'm sitting here looking at about 35 Ohio rifles made by various builders and the majority of them have browned/blued barrels and hardware but I have also seen some that were left in the white, very few. The majority of toe plates are plain stright rectangular pieces, of varying lengths. Some of these extend over the butt plate and some die into or are notched into the butt plate.  Once again there have been some high art rifles that had fancy, pierced, toe plates. A full stocked Vincent will be more than a little unique, especially in flint.
Mark

[wvmtnman]

Due to the extreme curve of the buttplate, it is difficult to get a wood screw towards the end of the buttplate or toeplate.  Drill a hole through the lower inch (or so) of the buttplate and make the hole come out in the toeplate, about a half inch from the end.  Put a rivet here.  This will hold both the toeplate and buttplate in place.  During use, they can sometimes catch on things and bend the brass. 
   I have made a number of these style guns and put them through much field use.  This is a problem area on these rifles.  Look at originals.  Many did this. 
                                                                        Brian

[Roger B]

I appreciate it guys.  I really like the idea of a rivet since I already put a hole there for it.  I misjudged how high the lower screw on the butt plate needed to be and thought it was a mistake.  Instead it turned out to be a design feature!  The kit is an old Golden Age Arms kit that I bought from one of the list members.  I don't think anyone else ever made a fullstock, flint, Ohio kit.The lock is an old L/R Egg and the wood is really beautiful curly maple.  After the scratch Hawken, this thing is a breeze.
Roger B.

[wvmtnman]

Post some pictures soon, I would like to see it.   I am building a Benson rifle now.  They also used a buttplate with an extreme curve in it.  Mine is a .45 caliber with a 15/16 barrel.  I am going to put a bunch of silver inlays on it. 
                                                                             Brian