Thimbles

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Inletting The Thimbles:

The front thimble was inlet position was identified by defining the length of the pending poured nose cap (2"). Locate the front barrel pin and then positioning the thimble so it was about 4" from the end of the muzzle. This allows an ample amount of length to the exposed ramrod, making it easier to remove from the rifle.

The thimble was laid down on the ramrod channel and a line was penciled to indicate the position of the thimble. A center line was drawn along the bottom of the ramrod channel. With the thimble laying outside the channel, the tab was set down into the channel and lines were drawn to indicate the length of the tab.

I used a "V" carving tool to cut out this line.

Then I using a 3/32" drill bit, I drilled a hole at either end of the V cut and then progressed drilling holes along the channel.

Then a knife was used to cut along the outside of the drilled holes and the wood was removed using a 1/16" chisel.

Once the slot was cleared, I set the thimble into the slot.

Using a sharp pencil I traced the profile onto the stock around the perimeter of the thimble.

Then I used various carving tools to remove the wood inside the lines. Using candle soot on the thimble, I slowly inlet the thimble 1/2 the depth into the stock, until the inside of the thimble is flush with the ramrod channel. .

Once the thimble is inlet, I then scribe a line on the exposed tab in the barrel with a pencil or a scribe. After it is cut off and filed smooth, I check for fit and make sure it is flush.

Then I cut a "V" notch in the top of the thimble tab to identify the thimbles (i.e. 1 notch = #1, 2 notches = #2) and I put the notch at the head of the thimble for proper alignment later when it is removed and reinstalled.

To locate the pin location for the thimble, I use my depth gauge inside the inletted cavity.

Then I transfer this to the outside of the stock and allow for the thickness of the 1/16" pin. Then I put a clamp on the thimble and drill a 1/16" hole thru the stock and the thimble tab. Remove the thimble and then slot the hole horizontally to allow for wood expansion of the stock.

Here is the front thimble inlet.

Then the middle thimble is inlet.

Finally the last thimble was inlet.

Now all three are inlet into the stock.