Tang sight removed, would like to protect inletted surface

fisherman66 · March 28, 2024, 08:59 AM

I just bought a used custom Martini-Henry that had a rail and scope added. The former tang mounted rear peep was not part of the sale. By the looks of the mount area it was probably a “Creedmoor” style sight. I’d like to protect the edges and corners of the walnut, but I don’t want to replace the piece. Ideally I’d find a brass plate to match the buttplate. Cursory searches of the webbernet isn’t yielding any results. I don’t have much of a shop, but I’ll give it a try if there’s not a premade solution.

IMG_5887.jpeg

Edited to spell correct

Jim Watson · March 28, 2024, 12:16 PM

I have not seen that sight inlet, I think a filler will have to be hand made. Rather than brass, I would use contrasting wood or black plastic like the ebony the British gunmakers used to lengthen a stock.

fisherman66 · March 28, 2024, 03:28 PM

Maybe I’ll just put a Chevrolet emblem there

Seriously, maybe epoxy over parchment paper would work. Maybe mix some fiberglass mesh in to help strengthen.

Bill DeShivs · March 28, 2024, 04:30 PM

Brass or nickel silver plate would be an easy project. Use tape to make a template, and put the template on the material, Saw/grind/file it to shape, file the edges to match the contour, drill/chamfer the holes, sand it smooth, install.

**4V50 Gary** · April 11, 2024, 12:31 PM

I'd make a metal filler plate. Wax on bottom and then attach.

**44 AMP** · April 13, 2024, 03:27 PM

Metal is nice, looks good, and is durable, but unless you start with a round bar stock that matches the curved upper edge of the wooden stock, and cut off a slice, its going to be a bitch and take a bunch of work to get a good smooth flush fit.

I say, go with wood for your filler. Matching the existing stock or something contrasting, your call. Wood is much easier to shape, its relatively cheap, and can be fitted to a perfect match with your existing stock, protecting the edges of the inlet with simple hand tools and some care.

Bill DeShivs · April 14, 2024, 01:18 PM

The stock is here. While I haven't looked at it, the plan is to use metal.
With the proper tools, metal is not hard to shape.

fisherman66 · April 25, 2024, 10:33 AM

I don’t know why I struggle to get pictures posted. Bill did beautiful work on the brass inlay. I hope he shares pictures of his craftsmanship.

Bill DeShivs · April 25, 2024, 12:39 PM

Very busy today. Will try to post pics soon.

Bill DeShivs · Yesterday, 01:02 AM

Here are pics of the finished inlay.
The brass bar is what it was cut from. I thought I had thinner brass stock, but what the heck.

**44 AMP** · Yesterday, 03:48 PM

Great looking work!!

BobCat45 · Yesterday, 04:51 PM

That's beautiful!

**Aguila Blanca** · Yesterday, 05:36 PM

Nicely done, Bill.

**4V50 Gary** · Today, 07:58 AM

Now get it engraved.

March 28, 2024, 08:59 AM	#1
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,683	Tang sight removed, would like to protect inletted surface I just bought a used custom Martini-Henry that had a rail and scope added. The former tang mounted rear peep was not part of the sale. By the looks of the mount area it was probably a “Creedmoor” style sight. I’d like to protect the edges and corners of the walnut, but I don’t want to replace the piece. Ideally I’d find a brass plate to match the buttplate. Cursory searches of the webbernet isn’t yielding any results. I don’t have much of a shop, but I’ll give it a try if there’s not a premade solution. IMG_5887.jpeg Edited to spell correct __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas! Last edited by fisherman66; March 28, 2024 at 10:46 PM.

March 28, 2024, 03:28 PM	#3
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,683	Maybe I’ll just put a Chevrolet emblem there Seriously, maybe epoxy over parchment paper would work. Maybe mix some fiberglass mesh in to help strengthen. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

March 28, 2024, 04:30 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	Brass or nickel silver plate would be an easy project. Use tape to make a template, and put the template on the material, Saw/grind/file it to shape, file the edges to match the contour, drill/chamfer the holes, sand it smooth, install. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 11, 2024, 12:31 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,845	I'd make a metal filler plate. Wax on bottom and then attach. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

April 13, 2024, 03:27 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,860	Metal is nice, looks good, and is durable, but unless you start with a round bar stock that matches the curved upper edge of the wooden stock, and cut off a slice, its going to be a bitch and take a bunch of work to get a good smooth flush fit. I say, go with wood for your filler. Matching the existing stock or something contrasting, your call. Wood is much easier to shape, its relatively cheap, and can be fitted to a perfect match with your existing stock, protecting the edges of the inlet with simple hand tools and some care. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 28, 2024, 12:16 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,545	I have not seen that sight inlet, I think a filler will have to be hand made. Rather than brass, I would use contrasting wood or black plastic like the ebony the British gunmakers used to lengthen a stock.

April 14, 2024, 01:18 PM	#7
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	The stock is here. While I haven't looked at it, the plan is to use metal. With the proper tools, metal is not hard to shape. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 25, 2024, 10:33 AM	#8
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,683	I don’t know why I struggle to get pictures posted. Bill did beautiful work on the brass inlay. I hope he shares pictures of his craftsmanship. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

April 25, 2024, 12:39 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,987	Very busy today. Will try to post pics soon. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

Yesterday, 03:48 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,860	Great looking work!! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

Yesterday, 04:51 PM	#12
BobCat45 Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: East Bernard, TX Posts: 524	That's beautiful!

Yesterday, 05:36 PM	#13
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,476	Nicely done, Bill. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

Today, 07:58 AM	#14
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,845	Now get it engraved. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*