How to Make Sheet Brass Parts for a Muzzleloader

Muzzleloading weapons date back hundreds of years and were originally made by hand. Muzzleloading weapons can still be made by hand, typically in the form of a kit where the owner assembles and fabricates parts of the weapon at home. Brass plating and parts used for muzzleloading weapons can also be forged at home using the appropriate tools. Sheet brass is generally installed on the gunstock or for other sections of the weapon such as the trigger plate. These parts can be forged at home using scrap brass.

Things You'll Need

  • Sand mold
  • Brass cleaner
  • Crucible (capable of withstanding heat over 1600 degrees fahrenheit)
  • Outdoor furnace
  • Blacksmith tongs and smelting ladle
  • Wire cutters
  • Fine metal file
  • Sandpaper
  • Buffing wheel
  • Brass polish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Carve a sand mold for your brass parts corresponding to the dimensions of your rifle stock. Generally, the sheet brass typically 1/16 to 1/8-inch thick is placed on the butt end of the gunstock, in any shape the owner prefers for decoration. Note that the thicker you make the brass sheet, the heavier the weapon will be.

    • 2

      Clean all of the scrap brass pieces thoroughly with brass cleaner. Remove any non-metallic parts from the brass such as plastic or metal screws made with non-brass alloys. Rinse and thoroughly dry all the brass. Place the scrap brass into the crucible and set it on the outdoor furnace.

    • 3

      Heat the furnace slowly to 1600-degrees fahrenheit. This is the melting point for brass. Skim any debris that may be present off the top of the molten brass using steel blacksmith tongs.

    • 4

      Pour the brass into the mold very carefully using a blacksmith smelting ladle. Allow several hours for the brass to cool.

    • 5

      Remove the brass sheet from the mold. Clip off any protruding rough edges from the brass using heavy-duty wire cutters. File, sand the brass sheet until all rough surfaces and edges are removed. Polish the brass using a buffing wheel and brass polish.