Author Topic: Missing inlays (Read 1810 times)

jmf · « **on:** April 06, 2022, 05:43:37 PM »

I bought an old New York rifle. Not sure of age, but its percussion, so likely 1850’s or possibly later. It has two shallow holes, around 1 or 2 mm deep and 14 mm across. Those holes are on each side of the buttstock. Do you think it possible that period coins would have been inlaid? I think the old half dimes are about that same size. Otherwise, what sort of round inlays would have been common on these?

OLUT · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2022, 07:21:14 PM »

Inlays of coins and tokens were occasionally used on percussion guns ( I have a couple percussion guns with these still in place)

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2022, 07:24:35 PM »

how big is 14mm?

jmf · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2022, 07:35:31 PM »

Its very close to 9/16”. Oddly, coins diameters even back then where sized in millimeters. At least from what I researched.

Daryl · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2022, 07:35:36 PM »

14mm = .5512".

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2022, 07:36:27 PM »

0.5512 inch

jmf · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2022, 02:37:56 AM »

Here are some pictures. Actually the holes seem to be .570 diameter. I was looking at filling them somehow. Coins or brass stampings maybe. The coins are available but not real cheap. Id hate to triple the value of the old gun. The stampings would be a little thin but I could double them up.

rtadams · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2022, 04:03:15 AM »

4-6-22

Mike,

Converting millimeters to inches --- 1mm = .0393701 Inches

14mm x .0393701 Inches = .5511814 Inches or (.5512 Inches) to four decimal places (Rounded Up).

Therefore 14mm = .5512 Inches

Best Regards,

Robert

Tanselman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2022, 06:42:26 AM »

Since you really don't know what type of material was in the mortises, why not make it easier on yourself and use a material that's been used before in similar situations, but cheaper and easier to work with, such as bone, shell or ivory? An old ivory piano key provides good material to work with, easy to shape, and has been found on a few rifles.

Shelby Gallien

Dphariss · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2022, 06:24:26 PM »

Quote from: rtadams on April 07, 2022, 04:03:15 AM

4-6-22

Mike,

Converting millimeters to inches --- 1mm = .0393701 Inches

14mm x .0393701 Inches = .5511814 Inches or (.5512 Inches) to four decimal places (Rounded Up).

Therefore 14mm = .5512 Inches

Best Regards,

Robert

I ain’t gonna bother.
I don’t live in a metric world if I can possibly avoid it. Why the US Kowtowed to this $#@* is beyond me

Dphariss · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2022, 06:33:14 PM »

Quote from: Tanselman on April 07, 2022, 06:42:26 AM

Since you really don't know what type of material was in the mortises, why not make it easier on yourself and use a material that's been used before in similar situations, but cheaper and easier to work with, such as bone, shell or ivory? An old ivory piano key provides good material to work with, easy to shape, and has been found on a few rifles.

Shelby Gallien

For about 5 gallons of gas (at todays prices) its possible to buy Sterling Silver rounds.
https://www.riogrande.com/product/Sterling-Silver-18mm-Disc-20-Ga-Soft/922465

Howard · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2022, 01:01:17 AM »

I have seen old tobacco tabs set in. They are about that size.

jmf · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2022, 03:31:44 AM »

I appreciate the suggestions. I like the idea of the sterling silver as itd be easy to engrave on, just that I really have no idea what Id put on them. The bone or ivory would be fairly easy, but I really doubt this sort of piece would have had that kind of bling. I havnt seen tobacco tabs, but will research that idea some. Thanks all!

Dphariss · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2022, 04:16:18 AM »

They were likely silver coins that were pulled out and maybe sold or repurposed sometime in the past. Stuff with no value would likely have been left alone. However, I gave up years ago trying to figure out why people changed, hacked up or otherwise “gunsmithed” old guns.

Clark Badgett · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2022, 04:27:12 AM »

Quote from: Dphariss on April 07, 2022, 06:24:26 PM

Quote from: rtadams on April 07, 2022, 04:03:15 AM
4-6-22

Mike,

Converting millimeters to inches --- 1mm = .0393701 Inches

14mm x .0393701 Inches = .5511814 Inches or (.5512 Inches) to four decimal places (Rounded Up).

Therefore 14mm = .5512 Inches

Best Regards,

Robert

I ain’t gonna bother.
I don’t live in a metric world if I can possibly avoid it. Why the US Kowtowed to this $#@* is beyond me

The United States actually adopted the French system (Metric) in 1805. The argument for it usage was the same argument for the current dollar system and by the same gentleman that is quite famous and has his likeness on currency. While the American public quickly took to the currency system that was much easier to understand than the English mess, it ignored the French system in favor of the rest of the English mess.

Tanselman · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2022, 05:39:55 AM »

Here's a current full-stocked rifle on GunBroker with a coin inlay in front butt. I've seen silver half-dimes and dimes in stocks, but never with a pin through the middle of them as your mortise seems to show.

Shelby Gallien

mr. no gold · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2022, 08:04:32 AM »

The hole may be a pilot hole to guide a drill bit to cut the circle. Pretty rifle, good one to have. Thank. you for bringing it in to be seen.
Dick

jmf · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2022, 04:49:27 PM »

The inlays were nailed in. In fact theres part of a nail still in one side. I presume if they were falling out at some point that its owner figured he’d fix it the best way he knew how.

Austin · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2022, 01:41:07 AM »

9/16 if your broke down and aint got your metric wrenches…

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Author Topic: Missing inlays (Read 1810 times)