Sideplates & Toeplates
In this section, you are being presented four types of sideplates. Two types are cast, one investment (the very finely detailed type) and the other is sandcast. The other two are die cut by machine stamping, and saw cut from flat plate stock. I am very happy to present to you new additions to our line-up as well as all the old tried and true! Several new castings are in development now and I welcome your ideas!
Sandcast Sideplates represents an extremely thorough listing of available sand castings which are in stock. Sand castings are much heavier pieces and are typically rougher with less detail when they are cast. Although much cheaper in cost, they have a lot more material to work with and to remove. I actually prefer them since the mass of material allows for increased detailing and even allows a crossover to another style when the plate is similar but not quite correct. Please note that although there may be more styles out there, these are standard stock items and readily available.
Die cut sideplates are machine-stamped from plate stock. This small group of plates is limited. They are a relatively inexpensive mass produced and standardized part, with little if any detail at all.
Saw Cut sideplates hold the most promise in reproduction of original drawings. We can take line drawings, copies or tracings and reproduce your own pattern at a reasonable shop labor rate. Our line of sideplates includes many which have been around for a long time, but our custom creation ability we have allows us to manufacture beautiful and sometimes very ornate patterns. New patterns are in constant development. Accurate and original styles are underway! Look for the new!
The Very Best category of sideplates is investment cast. Investment castings are also known as wax cast; a nickname describing the lost wax method of casting. A good way to remember the difference is to remember you have an investment in investment castings since they always cost substantially more. I am extremely pleased to show you a new and improved line of our old as well as many brand New additions! Most of these will be our own brand new products! English, Germanic, French and our own American styles including all schools of gunsmithing that I can get my hands on are in the works! As we complete these new plates, we will add them to the end of this section! From complex (and some are pierced so sharpen your tools!) to the individual schools of Kentucky rifles, Virginia guns, Fowlers, Southern Guns, Plains styles, etc..
Sawcut toeplates. We produce a whole host of original styles and are not only adding new ones but cut custom plates as well upon request for a modest additional charge.