Iron Nose Cap

[NJS]

How could an iron nose cap be rust blued and pinned to the stock without damaging the bluing? Thanks for all of your help!

[Scota4570]

Iron, like cast? OR, Sheet metal?  Either way.  Fit the cap.  Attach with a screw from inside the barrel channel.  Polish.  Blue.  Re-attach.  ??  It could also be attached with epoxy.  The sheet metal one might be better glued depending on the thickness of the material.

[NJS]

I should’ve been more specific. I’m sorry, it would be sheet steel.

[FALout]

You would likely want it removable/attached with screw.  To permanently attach with pins would make finishing hard to do for both metal and stock. 

[StevenV]

I've had the same concern and this is my solution. I finished the gun completely, stock stained "sealed" , nose cap pinned with  copper rivet. I will tape off the stock and finish the nose cap. I will let you know how it turns out.     Steven V

[Herb]

Your sheet steel is .025 thick.  Good luck screwing it on.  What kind of rifle and cap is it?

[NJS]

The nose cap is going to be carbon steel, I was thinking 20 or 22 gauge. If I was going to do anything but rust blue I can see how it would be done. But, I just can’t see how to do it if screws aren’t an option. With the steel being so thin is it possible to put threads in it?

[Herb]

I discuss this kind of nose cap in my post below on February 21, "How to Build Rachel's Custom Hawken".

[Mark Elliott]

I rivet my nose pieces on and have to finish them on the stock.   I either brown or age my steel and am able to do that on the stock if I am careful.   I will sometimes tape off the stock adjacent to the nose piece when I am applying the chemicals.  Since I don't want to put my stock in the damp box,  it takes much longer to finish the nose piece.  I hope that helps.

[alacran]

Your sheet steel is .025 thick.  Good luck screwing it on.  What kind of rifle and cap is it?

You can silver solder a piece of .065 steel to the inside of the nose cap where you would be screwing it. Also if you use a brass machine screw, you can peen it and it will look like a rivet. Be sure to anneal the brass screw first.