Before hinged metal patch boxes became the uniquely American Icon of the Golden Age of muzzleloaders, there was another way of protecting your sliding wood patch box lid from getting lost…..The pivoting wood patch box.
1) Take the cigar shaped wooden lid supplied in your kit and lay it on the lock side of your stock. Position it in a line from the rear of the lock inlet to the middle of the butt, in the flattest are you can find. There will probably be a slight contour no matter where you place it. Trace around the lid. While it is sitting there, check to see if there are any gaps around the lid.
2) Take file and level the area within the tracing till it is flat and the lid sits flush. You’ll leave about ¼” lip around the lid.
3) Sand smooth around the surface to 300 grit and draw a line directly on center from one end to the other. Measure the width of your lid and place at a 90 degree angle to the tracing centered directly in the middle until you have the same distance on both ends. Do the same on your lid and drill a 1/8” hole thru the lid and into the stock. This is the location of your finished lid.
4) The line you drew from front to back is now the center line for drilling your cavity. Match up the lid with a screw and turn up 90 degrees. Mark both sides so as not to drill here. A 1” fostner bit works great with a nice flat bottom. Drill to 1/2.-3/4” deep. Drill intersecting holes reducing the bit size as the shape tapers. Use a sharp wood chisel to remove unwanted webbing. You may wish to use one side for patches and the other for balls or lube or use individual holes for each and even a few for extra balls.
5) The spring loaded brass ball catch provided can be used at either end or hidden in the middle behind the lid. A 17/64” bit is best, but a 1/4” is pretty close. Epoxy in place and slightly recess the flange. Mark the ball with lip stick, magic marker, etc. and attach the lid firmly. Move lid to its best closed position. Unscrew lid and locate last mark made. Drill a ¼” detent and replace lid. It should make a nice click when it slides into position. Shape the lid with a gentle curved edge or whatever pleases you.
