Escutcheon Inlay Question

[JLayne]

I would like to inlet the large escutcheon inlay depicted below into the lower forestock of my Kibler Colonial. The inlay is German silver and is  over 2 1/2” long and roughly 1/2” tall (guesstimate), and the surface of the forestock is very rounded in that area. The inlay is not very thick, so it seems to me that it will need to be bent lengthwise to match the stock curvature before inletting so I don’t create a flat spot in the stock when I file it down. Any ideas for a way to bend it without distorting it’s overall shape?

Thanks in advance.
Jay

[T*O*F]

I choose an impact socket that has the same curvature as the stock.  Place the inlay on a lead block, position the socket correctly, and whack it with a dead blow hammer.  I suppose a wood block could be used as well.

[Craig Wilcox]

I once used a kitchen rolling pin to get the curvature.  Combined with a concave block of hardwood, did the job well.

[Mike Brooks]

I have a blacksmith's swage block for that sort of thing.

[Adrie luke]

I use engraving thermolock make it soft and press it on the insert spot.
When it's hard roll the escutcheon with a round bar of iron.

[Gaeckle]

Personally, I would not use this inlay on this rifle, I would use this on a late flint and/or percussion rifle. If you really want to use an inlay I think a simple oval would be more appropriate. I enjoy making my own inlays and such and it's not very hard.
When ever I work with brass or German silver I make sure to annealed the metal and to make it fit a rounded surface I simply use two pliers and put the slightest bend in them. Being very soft they bend extremely easy.

[J. Talbert]

Personally, I would not use this inlay on this rifle, I would use this on a late flint and/or percussion rifle. If you really want to use an inlay I think a simple oval would be more appropriate.

Well since the topic has been broached…
I agree.  Just sayin.   

Jeff

[TommyG]

x3 on the simple oval instead.  As mentioned, a socket or round stock of appropriate diameter will work.  I have good luck using hose clamps to coax the annealed material into shape around the socket or round stock. 

[Hungry Horse]

 This particular inlay is common to just a few Pennsylvania makers, and surrounding regions. It is most often seen on the cheekpiece if the inlay is quite large, and under the cheekpiece in the size you picture. 

  Hungry Horse

[Mike Brooks]

Personally, I would not use this inlay on this rifle, I would use this on a late flint and/or percussion rifle. If you really want to use an inlay I think a simple oval would be more appropriate.

Well since the topic has been broached…
I agree.  Just sayin.   

Jeff

Ditto