What to do with the Patch Box ?

[davec2]

OK....so I have built several rifles in the last few years and I never quite know what to do with a patch box.  I have never kept patches in one.  And I have never actually made two the same size.  The size, at least for me, is determined by the aesthetics of the butt architecture and they just don't come out any sort of standard size.  I haven't had the time lately to work on some of the more involved projects I have on the bench, but the other day I got the urge to make up some items for the patchbox on the copy of the Jim Chambers rifle I did a while back.  The patch box on that rifle is one of the largest I have made and I thought I could fit one of my Gunner's Mates shooting tools in it...and I could.  The only problem is that the tool won't fit in a .36 bore.  So I re-machined a few critical parts to fit the bore.  It won't assemble into the single tool any longer, but it fit easily in the patch box with a little tow and I made a little ticking bag for the ball puller and worm.







Well, I liked the way that turned out, so I wanted to put one of the complete tools in the box on the .58 caliber English rifle I made some time ago now.  The only problem was that this rifle has one of the narrowest boxes I have made and the "T" handle for the tool would not fit.  After a little thought, I cut away a notch on each side of the box and got the "T" handle to drop in.  A little more tow and the body of the tool taken down into two pieces and it all fits fine.









This seemed to work out so well, I did the same thing to the copy of Jim Keebler's .54 caliber rifle that I built (the one with the sights made out of a meteor)....








And one more....a walnut stocked .50 caliber I made back in 2014....







With the tow in the box, none of this stuff rattles around.  And I always have everything I need to service each rifle....without even looking...

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I always have everything I need to service the rifle.

That answers the question, doesn't it?  You likely have room for a flint or two, too.

[davec2]

Taylor,

You are right.....I changed the last line a little.

Thanks

[Daryl]

That's a great bunch of boxes, Dave. I can't trust mine to stay closed - think I need some warrantee work, now that it's maker can see.
 

[stubshaft]

I thought I was doing all right with tow, patches and flint.  Gonna have to get one of those Gunners Mates.

[AMartin]

Our late Don Getz use to say , ( Patchboxes are for others to open !! ) He threatened to glue one shut ..
I miss him and his humor ..

I use mine for storing few flints and extra piece of leather ...


Allen

[J. Talbert]

Dave,
What a great group of guns!

And oh ya, the patchbox thing... I musta got distracted   

Jeff

[Majorjoel]

Dave, you just turned the old phrase "mother of invention" into reality!

I recently found an old Snicker's bar in a patchbox that had been sitting in my gun safe for more years than I can remember.  Does anyone know if chocolate goo is a good patch lube?

[stubshaft]

Dave, you just turned the old phrase "mother of invention" into reality!

I recently found an old Snicker's bar in a patchbox that had been sitting in my gun safe for more years than I can remember.  Does anyone know if chocolate goo is a good patch lube?

Just give it a fancy name and put it in a plastic tub.  It will sell like hotcakes.

[hanshi]

Chocolate goo?  Hmmmm...  Something to try. 

The patch boxes I have carry, well, patches.  But depending on the particular gun they also hold a patch worm, a ball or two, flints, caps but no chocolate goo - not large enough.

[fahnenschmied]

I don't have a long rifle - I have a short rifle.  But I replicated a powder measure and combination worm/ball puller I saw in the patchbox of another military Jägerbüchse.

[Justin Urbantas]

That is slicker than a greased frog, Dave.  Are you making those tools for folks? They look pretty handy.

[flehto]

All the Pboxes shown are really beautiful. Seeing I have a strapped possibles bag, the Pboxes are all empty....never had even one patch in them.

Most of mine would hold  a Snickers Bar but  if the wrapper had a hole, the melted chocolate and caramel would get all over.....can't have that happen.

Actually my Pboxes are non- functional because they're always empty and one well known builder said that in effect, it would then be a large inlay. so just make a one pc pseudo Pbox ...saves a lot of time in lieu of 4 pcs. and a release.

I wouldn't do that because I sell my builds and the buyers might want a Pbox that  works.....Fred

[davec2]

Justin,

Yes I make them for others....

Fred,

That's why I ended up putting this stuff in the patch box.  Everyone who looks at my rifles and looks into an empty patch box wants to know what goes in there ??  I got tired of long explanations.  Now they just see that there is "stuff" in the box and it looks like I put the box on the rifle for a good reason.   

[Arcturus]

Dave, I think you nailed it.  My patchboxes hold tow and worm/ball puller, etc., with a cleaning patch or two to prevent rattling.  Your tools are perfect for the space.  I think maintenance stuff works better in the patchbox than shooting stuff.  Though after reading some responses here, I'll have to squeeze a spare flint in there now, too!