Take down screw

[tws3b2]

This is the forearm of a over 75 year old 410 shotgun stock. I just noticed that the barrel will rattle a little if you shake it. You can't see it move. Just feel it a little. The brass nut is threaded. The take down screw threads through the brass nut then into the barrel lug. I'm thinking that over 75 years of over tightening the screw has pulled the nut into the wood a little. Is there a way to fix it. Without damaging the nut. I'll never find another. How would the nut come out? Screw out or punch out ?

 

[LoneGoose]

You probably won't punch out that nut without causing splintering of the wood's surface right at the nut. You might look at drilling out the nut and pressing in a new one. Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out. THR rocks.

 

[beag_nut]

You should be able to measure both the diameter and thread pitch of the screw which engages that nut. Then you can find some nuts and a machine screw to fit the nut. If you wish to remove the brass nut, then thread the new screw into it, with a new nut on the outside. Then tighten down onto the old nut, and use the screw to back out of the wood. Once you have the brass nut out you can clean it, see if you want to replace it, or put it back with epoxy to secure it in place.

 

[tws3b2]

You probably won't punch out that nut without causing splintering of the wood's surface right at the nut. You might look at drilling out the nut and pressing in a new one. Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out. THR rocks.

I think you are right about the splintering. The gun is not worth much but I don't want to damage it. I think I will just let it go for now and think about it for awhile. Others have said to shim the barrel, add a washer and even file down the end of the screw to keep it from bottoming out in the lug. Think I'll just wait and see.

 

[Blue68f100]

The brass nut should be screwed into the wood. Try shouldering a screw/nut combo so you can rotate it just a hare, to make up the difference. These brass inserts are still sold and are in use today. I use them quite often on some of my wood projects where I don't have access to the back. Available from your local hardware store.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

No, it's not a brass nut and it's not screwed into the forearm. It's called an escutcheon and the outside diameter has straight "striations" to purposely keep it from rotating, so don't follow any advice as to twisting or turning that escutcheon. What you will do if you follow that advice is, enlarge the hole further. Not a good thing.
If you use a drift punch and go in from inside the barrel channel, tap the rear end of the punch lightly to get the escutcheon moving to its way out of place. Your job will look much more professional than removing more wood intended to surround and support the escutcheon.

 

[SC45-70]

This is the forearm of a over 75 year old 410 shotgun stock. I just noticed that the barrel will rattle a little if you shake it. You can't see it move. Just feel it a little. The brass nut is threaded. The take down screw threads through the brass nut then into the barrel lug. I'm thinking that over 75 years of over tightening the screw has pulled the nut into the wood a little. Is there a way to fix it. Without damaging the nut. I'll never find another. How would the nut come out? Screw out or punch out ?View attachment 863562

Why don't you just try a shorter take down screw?
If you can't find one, screw a nut on the screw you have and file a tread or two off the end?
That should tighten the fore end to the barrel.

SC45-70

 

[#1buck]

Why don't you just try a shorter take down screw?
If you can't find one, screw a nut on the screw you have and file a tread or two off the end?
That's what I would do if I were opposed to putting an o-ring or plastic washer under it to shim it. Under no circumstances would I monkey with the brass escutcheon
That should tighten the fore end to the barrel.

SC45-70

Either shim it or shorten the screw.

 

[beag_nut]

No, it's not a brass nut and it's not screwed into the forearm. It's called an escutcheon and the outside diameter has straight "striations" to purposely keep it from rotating, so don't follow any advice as to twisting or turning that escutcheon. What you will do if you follow that advice is, enlarge the hole further. Not a good thing.
If you use a drift punch and go in from inside the barrel channel, tap the rear end of the punch lightly to get the escutcheon moving to its way out of place. Your job will look much more professional than removing more wood intended to surround and support the escutcheon.

Ain't no "escutcheon", which is a decorative plate of some sort. We're looking at a splined insert nut.

 

[#1buck]

Ain't no "escutcheon", which is a decorative plate of some sort. We're looking at a splined insert nut.

Well that's what every parts house calls it. Try to order some aftermarket revolver grips, they will give you the option of with or without the "escutcheon" because that's what Colt and S&W call them. Sometimes the meaning of something is amended or changed based on common usage. You are most certainly not a dick as I know you must be human to post here. But enough obtuse comments like that may change the common consensus on that.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Agree with what #1buck posted above:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/204230

 

[George P]

Why not add a thin washer between the forearm and lug?

 

[Jim Watson]

Easy try.

I can't see how a threaded insert and a threaded lug will draw up tight unless spaced and "timed" a lot more precisely than usual on a single barrel shotgun.

 

[beag_nut]

Well that's what every parts house calls it. Try to order some aftermarket revolver grips, they will give you the option of with or without the "escutcheon" because that's what Colt and S&W call them. Sometimes the meaning of something is amended or changed based on common usage. You are most certainly not a dick as I know you must be human to post here. But enough obtuse comments like that may change the common consensus on that.

When in doubt, consult a dictionary. Obtuseness has nothing to do with it. Machine parts suppliers refer to a part like that as a splined nut.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

When in doubt, consult a dictionary. Obtuseness has nothing to do with it. Machine parts suppliers refer to a part like that as a splined nut.

But, the escutcheon in the shotgun forearm has no threads. If it was a "nut", it should have threads, as all nuts do. It has a "through hole" that the screw passes through so it can thread into the barrel lug. Nothing "obtuse" about that.

 

[#1buck]

An escutcheon may be threaded or simply be a pass through depending on the makers intended purpose. One with threads may also be called a splined nut as in the furniture making industry. It could also be called a bolster but most of the gun industry settled on escutcheon years ago.
Much like a gear shifter in you car may also be called a gear selector or the trunk the boot.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Agreed, but the picture above pretty much dictated what that specific "escutcheon" is.