Need advice please

[Bart]

Hello gentlemen! I'm in need of some guidance. Recently acquired an Amos Fisher longrifle (Strasburg, VA). The rifle is in great original condition, but sadly it's missing the sideplate. How should I approach getting the exact dimensions of the mortice? I was thinking of using modeling clay and the transferring that to the brass? Thoughts please....

[louieparker]

Are you planning to make a brass lock plate ?  If it was my rifle and in "great original condition" i would be looking for an original lock to use on the rifle.  At least an old plate.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Are you sure you mean lockplate, and not sideplate?  Pictures would explain your issue.

[Bart]

I'm sorry gents, I meant the sideplate is missing. Yes I want to try and recreate the original.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'd make a pattern out of card stock.  Take a piece of writing paper or computer paper if you don't write, lay it over the mortise of the inlet, and gently press the paper over the edges.  Then draw along the creased lines with a pencil, and transfer the outline to the card stock.  Cut it out with scissors or an x-acto knife.  Try it in the inlet.  Re-draw and cut it out as many times as necessary to make it a perfect fit.  THEN trace it onto the brass.  Remember, only half of the sideplate rests in the mortise...the other half will be raised above the wood, and there'll be a significant bevel along the edges...if it was that type of sideplate.  I'm unfamiliar with the maker and his style, so just guessing.

[Scota4570]

A photo scanner will scan flat objects, like guns very nicely.  If you have one, scan the area on the stock.  Then print it the size of the original.  You my need to print in MS paint and mess with the size.  Once it is perfect, print on better paper to make a pattern. 

Or, just make a rubbing.  : )

As long as it is exact or a little large it will work out.  I bet the original wood is a little damaged around the side plate inlet.  It would look better to touch up the inletting for a slightly larger plate.  That may more than you want to do though.

I just found this:
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=47395.msg467568#msg467568

Using clear stock, like transparency film for copiers would work great.

[Bart]

Thank you Taylor! Fisher rifles tend to have low sideplates w/not much material above the mortice, and little to no beveled edges. At least on the originals I've seen.