Tennessee Side Plate Orientation CCF?

[Bob McBride]

This is for CCF or anyone else who cares to chime in. Any thoughts on orienting the (this side plate really needs a name) side plate here. I see some that align with the barrel to the exclusion of nice panel orientation some that orient to the panel to and look a little nose up. Any thoughts on what looks best? I know it’s a 32nd or so difference but it does change the look pretty dramatically.

Thanks for chiming in.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ...Bob,.... personally, I like the bottom line of the lock-bolt plate to line-up with the bottom of the side panel,... Brian Barker and Chris Walker are two contemporary makers who I think build spot-on re-creations of upper East Tennessee rifles, and  can provide expert opinions,... I will provide some pix of a few originals,.... many styles of lock-bolt plates were used in this region (including none at all), and the one you are using is my favorite,.. you have a great looking build going on there... great looking triggers  , too,... !!!... regards, Cades Cove Fiddler..... 

[WadePatton]

I see the dilemma.  I thought parallel to the bore would be right, until I saw how it didn't work with the panel, I think the third pic down looks best from this angle.  I might have to see it in person for best perspective. I think it's what looks best relative to the panel that determines how you "hang" it.

Can't lay my hands on my TN books at present either (they are misplaced). I've considered one of those "plates" but hadn't tried one yet. Did you cut that one or get a ready-made?

[WadePatton]

Oh, perfect---CCF posted as I did and his pics show just what I was thinkin'. 

[pjmcdonald]

Bob, 
I can’t advise you on the side plate. I just go with what looks right to my eye.

But the Miller Lite? Your highland ancestors would hang their heads! A nice Scotch would be better. Or at least something malty and dark.

Oh, as for a name, I’ve seen it called a side plate, a lock bolt washer, or an escutcheon.

Cheers,

Paul

[Bob McBride]

Bob, 
I can’t advise you on the side plate. I just go with what looks right to my eye.

But the Miller Lite? Your highland ancestors would hang their heads! A nice Scotch would be better. Or at least something malty and dark.

Oh, as for a name, I’ve seen it called a side plate, a lock bolt washer, or an escutcheon.

Cheers,

Paul

The Macallen keeps me from getting anything done. A stout bloats me if I’m sitting. It’s a Miller Lite, inletting,  and unabridged audiobook of The Return of the King kind of day.

[Bob McBride]

CCF, I agree with you. Your Pic 1 shows more aligned with the barrel to my eye. Pic 2 is my favorite TN side plate ever and the one that inspired this plate, even though I couldn’t pull off riding it quite so low so cut it back a bit. I’m considering adding the front lock bolt to copy that setup. The middle pic of the bottom three series of pics is sort of halfway between panel level and barrel level with less nose up.

[Bob McBride]

I see the dilemma.  I thought parallel to the bore would be right, until I saw how it didn't work with the panel, I think the third pic down looks best from this angle.  I might have to see it in person for best perspective. I think it's what looks best relative to the panel that determines how you "hang" it.

Can't lay my hands on my TN books at present either (they are misplaced). I've considered one of those "plates" but hadn't tried one yet. Did you cut that one or get a ready-made?

That pic is second from the bottom as well and sort of splits the difference. I cut the plate today. It’s sterling to go along with sterling pipes I made for this rifle.. Everything else is iron. I’ll sulfur grey the sterling. I like the Greyed silver contrasted with the iron. And it was done by Whitson.

This is the TC Carson Whitson (Kentucky Rifles of the Great Smokey Mountains by Randall Pierce) with Silver pipes and lock bolt plate as described by Pierce.

[pjmcdonald]

The Macallen keeps me from getting anything done. A stout bloats me if I’m sitting. It’s a Miller Lite, inletting,  and unabridged audiobook of The Return of the King kind of day.

I understand. I’m the same way. Never considered an audio book while working in the shop. Good idea. Tolkien is the perfect companion.

All the best on what looks like a good build!

Paul

[B.Barker]

Thanks Dana for the kudo's. I'm with you I like the lock bolt washer to line up with the panel rather than lining it up with the barrel.

[Bob McBride]

Thanks Dana for the kudo's. I'm with you I like the lock bolt washer to line up with the panel rather than lining it up with the barrel.

Thanks Brian.

[B.Habermehl]

I’m by no means a authority on southern mountain rifles, but my eye likes the first pictures side plate alignment. Just my eyeball so to speak. BJH