cheekpiece

[Mark Elliott]

Like others have said, you have to look at the originals for the type of gun you are making, but I have found that making the cheek piece about 1/4" above the outer line of the butt stock will give you the right amount of wood with which to work.   I don't claim that this is right, but it has seemed right most of the time.   

[David R. Pennington]

Does this look better?

[Mikecooper]

I'm no expert but that looks kind of high to me.  Did you take any wood off it? 

Here's a pic of one of mine.   the cheekpiece is 5/16 on the high side and just under 4/16 on the low side and even that seems kind of high. 


But then there's something like this that doesn't have the deep right angle cut out but slopes at an angle.

[Pete G.]

I have an old rifle where the cheeckpiece is less than 1/4" at the highest spot. Seems hardly worth the effort.
I almost believe that the reason for a cheeckpiece is the same as the reason for a patchbox...A rifle is just SUPPOSED have one; function is secondary.

[Mike Brooks]

The only gun that I have ever owned that the cheek piece was usefull was a Schuetzen rifle, Pope style or Shoyen. Had to nestle right down into the cheek rest to even see down the barrel...very effective actually.

[Dave B]

The height on several originals from the percussion era all measured 1/4". The Jaeger fowler piece has the rear of the cheek being just at 1/2"and 3/8" at the front of the CR.

I think you could say the wider the butt plate the taller the cheek rest, at least in most cases.



Here is a Dauphin Co rifle by Peter Berry and it measures about 5/16" at the rear and only 3/16" at the front.

[David R. Pennington]

I took it down to about 1/4" at front and 3/8" at back and also shortened the length a lttle.

[Dave B]

David you have it. The width of the butt plate you have works well with what you now have for the cheek piece.
your project is looking good. Keep us posted.

[David R. Pennington]

Thanks guys for the input and advice. I am getting anxiuos to get this one done. I proofed the barrel (and my forged wrought iron breech plug) the other day with a couple double ball double charged loads. Measured barrel every 2 inches and remeasured after with no changes. Barrel was from 1973 never been fired before.
Working on forend now. I hope I haven't messed it up too bad.