patch box screw interchangeabilities

[ewmail15]

My 1859 Sharps carbine patch box needs the three wood screws. Didn't realize S&S had only a pic of the screws. Anyone know the head and screw diameters and overall length? Would any other period rifles with patch boxes have matching screws, like the Springfield or Enfield? The higher manufacture rifles would be great to know, as just maybe S&S would have them in a parts lot. Preference is right period manufacture over modern junk, imho. Thanks, Eric.

 

[ewmail15]

Pic from S&S.

 

[JOHN42768]

I would send them a email ,also to Lodgewood

 

[WJC]

Be very careful when replacing screws and other threaded fasteners. Though proposals for thread standard were made in Britain 1841, threads were not standardized there until the 1860s. The United States standards were first proposed independently by William Sellers in 1864. These were eventually adopted as the U.S. Standard, becoming the American Standard Coarse Series (NC) and the American Standard Fine Series (NF).

 

[Jobe Holiday]

WJC - since he is looking for wood screws, does that apply to wood screws, too?
J.

 

[ewmail15]

Sent David at Lodgewood an email. No word back yet. John Gunderson did reply that he/son had no screws.

I did notice on eBay that my drwinchester contact for Sharps parts had two auctions for a set of five Winchester 52 screws. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/152820...ate+Screws&tc=US&item=152820981198&rmvSB=true

Two on the right looked exactly like the S&S pic. I don't have measurement on what the screw should be. Still need that help, if anyone can share. With that lead, I searched for other auctions with Winchester 52, and this came up:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-of-Wi...621902&hash=item2112658383:g:93YAAOSweWVXdqvl

I requested dimensions from the seller. Crossing my fingers it's a match. NOS as in bought from Winchester in the '80's - maybe that's quality enough over the **** metal being used overseas for their knockoff repro parts.

 

[ewmail15]

The threads on he butt plate/trigger plate screws are too big to be used for the patch box. I'm supposing that my patch box is original as was advertised. Measured with caliper the head diameter on the plate at 11/64" and thread opening at 5/32".

 

[unicornforge]

That looks like a standard wood screw. Since you already know the head width and size openings/holes in the patch box, you should be able to figure out the length from either the picture or depth gauge, or how far a small wire will bottom out in the hole. From that you are likely to be able to determine threads per inch. My question is whether this is an original rifle or a reproduction. Either way, going to Fastenal.com you are likely to find an appropriate sized screw. Most likely you will need to specify "unplated or plain finish" to the screws. If a store is not near you, you can have it mailed to your house.

Not sure what you mean by right period manufacture versus "modern junk". Most likely people selling screws claiming to be "period" are simply ordering from Fastenal or another manufacturer in bulk and reselling the screws. Fastenal makes and sells "period" fasteners to the Park Service, and makes all sorts of square headed, and other old-fashioned fasteners that you don't see in the local hardware store.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The screw for the Sharps patch box is a small round head wood screw. I bought a couple of them from S&S several years ago. I would call them and speak directly to them about what you want.
J.