Sideplate removal 1860 Uberti Henry

[Isom]

Is there a "proper" way to remove the sideplates on a Henry ? I've heard tap up ,,,,, tap down. Which way is correct, or does it matter ?
Thanks,
Isom

[Coffinmaker]

YES!!!   er    NO!!    Er ..... Well actually, most of the time Uberti doesn't do well at fitting the 1860 Henry Side Plates.  99% of the time, the Side Plates are WAY too tight and rather than sliding out, must be driven out.  EXTREME CARE must be taken.  You will need a nylon or hard (very) rubber mallet.  There is often a very slight taper of the dovetails, top to bottom.  Start at the bottom.  Drive the side plate UP, Whacking in alternating front/back/front/back.  Once out, if you have the correct tools/skills, it should be "final fit" so it can be removed with finger pressure only.

Speaking of fingers.  The edges ALL FOUR of Uberti Henry Side Plates are RAZOR SHARP.  They will HURT you.  be EXTREMELY careful when removing/installing Henry side plates.

To re-install the Site plates, start them in the dovetail carefully, then alternate front/back/front/back again with the mallet, now from THE TOP until the the edges are aligned and smooth.

When going through this process the first few times, you will learn some new words.  Unprintable words.  This is normal.  You may will speak those new words loud enough for your neighbors to hear you.  This is also normal.  You will be most happy if you have remembered your fresh new box of BandAids. 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

YES!!!   er    NO!!    Er ..... Well actually, most of the time Uberti doesn't do well at fitting the 1860 Henry Side Plates.  99% of the time, the Side Plates are WAY too tight and rather than sliding out, must be driven out.  EXTREME CARE must be taken.  You will need a nylon or hard (very) rubber mallet.  There is often a very slight taper of the dovetails, top to bottom.  Start at the bottom.  Drive the side plate UP, Whacking in alternating front/back/front/back.  Once out, if you have the correct tools/skills, it should be "final fit" so it can be removed with finger pressure only.

Speaking of fingers.  The edges ALL FOUR of Uberti Henry Side Plates are RAZOR SHARP.  They will HURT you.  be EXTREMELY careful when removing/installing Henry side plates.

To re-install the Site plates, start them in the dovetail carefully, then alternate front/back/front/back again with the mallet, now from THE TOP until the the edges are aligned and smooth.

When going through this process the first few times, you will learn some new words.  Unprintable words.  This is normal.  You may will speak those new words loud enough for your neighbors to hear you.  This is also normal.  You will be most happy if you have remembered your fresh new box of BandAids. 

Old CM speaks the truth.  I have cut myself more than once on 1860 and 1866 sideplates, even knowing better!.

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[Forty Rod]

I have scars fro Henrys and '66s by trying to do something without heeding the warning of others.

Come to think of it, I have lot of scars from almost everything I've ever done.

[Isom]

Thanks for all the info, very helpful.
Isom

[Navy Six]

I have one apart right now(a 66 that is) and can verify how sharp those sideplates can be. Another 66 from a couple of weeks ago( that was getting an annual cleaning) was even worse.

[Coffinmaker]

Six

Remember that nice new box of fresh new BandAids??  Swell investment it is. 

[Navy Six]

Thanks, Coffinmaker! I bought the bandaids just in time as I really did cut myself today  on those darn sideplates during final re-assembly of the 66.

[Pay Dirt Norvelle]

My 1860 Uberti must have been defective as it was quite easy to take the side plate off    however, the edges were very sharp. I was lucky enough to read about it before hand and managed to get it back on with all my fingers still attached to my hand, no cuts even.