Sharps Breechblock Gas Plate

[Wayne M Clark]

Of what is the best material to make replacement breechblock gas check plates? Has anyone tried Ampco 18 bronze , stainless steel, or 4140 alloy steel?
W. Clark

[Dominic Infante, 8359V]

Chrome works really well for Sharps' gas check plates. About 10 years ago Mike Newhouse from the 1st Michigan in the Northwest Region, who does excellent work, chromed two gas check plates for me. I wanted a spare. Well, after about 12,000+ rounds, there is absolutely no erosion on the first plate, so it may be a while before I need my spare. The way he does the job, I believe, is to grind off about 3 or 4 thousanths of the face and replace that with an equal depth of chrome plating.

Another possibility that I know of that seems to have worked well is one of the guys on the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry had a gas check plate made from some type of heavy duty wood saw. I have no idea however how one would cut and shape such hard metal.

[Greg Ogdan, 11444]

Wayne,
Being on the 110th, I was able to have just such a conversion done by Eldon Bertram. Been shooting it now for 3 or 4 years and I can see NO evidence of fire cutting at all. and the bad news is the gun only shoots exactly where I aim it, not where I wish it! Remember I was the guy replacing 4 tiles after that event at the Fall Nationals. Bet I don't make that mistake again!!!!!!!

[Phil Spaugy, 3475V]

Wouldn't bet on it.

Philo

[Charlie Hahn]

4130 or 4340 heat treated to 48 RC works well, and 17ph heat treated to 42 RC also works well.

Charlie Hahn

[Greg Ogdan, 11444]

Damn, Phil, you caught me again!

[Scott Kurki, 12475]

I just got a new Pedersoli from Dixie and the gas check plate is now chromed. I have my carbine with Charlie for his mod also hoping to head off any issue before they come up. Between Charlie's work and the chromed plate, I am hoping for the best.

[louis]

[quote]I just got a new Pedersoli from Dixie and the gas check plate is now chromed. I have my carbine with Charlie for his mod also hoping to head off any issue before they come up. Between Charlie's work and the chromed plate, I am hoping for the best.[quote]

I asked Richard Beauchamp of Flintlock's Etc. about that. Here is his response. "ONLY ON THE CONFEDERATE CARBINE. THEY ARE TESTING IT BEFORE DOING IT TO ALL GUNS. NO PLANES FOR OTHERS THIS YEAR."

I've also e-mailed Pedersoli in Italy. Haven't gotten an answer from them yet.

[R Filbert]

Robert here with Hazlewood.Are you chroming the whole plate? Or just the front. What about heating and using kasenite/

[Scott Kurki, 12475]

Robert here with Hazlewood.Are you chroming the whole plate? Or just the front. What about heating and using kasenite/

Robert, on the Pedersoli Confederate Sharps' from DWG, the whole gas check plate is chrome plated.