I decided to make a cheek pad for my enfield. I've only made one before, so there are still plenty of mistakes and things to be learned, but I felt I'd share non the less.

I started with a single shoulder 5/7 oz tooling leather, aprox $20 at your standard leather shop. I took a piece of graph paper and made a template using the enfield to make the rough shape that I wanted.




here are the 2 pieces cut out, with the addition of a strip to add in the middle to stuff for the actual rest. I ended up not using this one, but had to cut a different about half way through.


both pieces are glued, then cut and sanded to flush







a roughly even double piece of leather in a shape of the template



edges are then beveled for a cleaner look, and to remove the excess top layer which was not sanded off



grooves are cut so the stitching will be recessed. Not necessary, but I feel it gives it a better look


holes are then punched. If need be, a nail can be used but it will not give the clean cut and straight look, plus it will take a helluva long time



a simple saddle stitch begins


I decided to double stitch, which of course doubles the time but looks nicer. I believe the border took about 1.5 hours. All of the thread was used



done



because I am warped I decided I wanted to stitch even more, and cut out the following. As the leather is bent, without such stitching there would have been a good chance the leather would come apart or wrinkle




another hour later....




another picture. Resembles a bible cover or something


The third piece is brought into play. Notice the lines on the stitched piece are more narrow that the lines on the small piece which will be added. This is to allow the 3rd piece to stick up and in turn allow more stuffing and a higher rest




then I dunked it so it could be molded



putting a curve in the sheet so the 3rd piece will be easier to stitch on



stitching


stuffing. I used a few cuts of thin vegetable tanned as a base, then used batting on top



another view


another molding



believe it or not that's 6 hours of non stop work
I started at 6 pm and called it a night at 12:30. Had I not double stitched everything but the 3rd piece I believe it would have about 3 hours invested



now she's starting to look recognizable. I popped holes in it and disappointed my grommets aren't long enough. Guess I'll do without. I really hosed myself pushing the rivet in as it left marks



another view



other side. I didn't double stitch the 3rd piece and you can tell. Once it is dyed I believe it is much more obvious



velvet lining? why not.



ready to be dyed



what a difference.



I cut and stitched the top (for decoration) of a back piece to keep it from sliding forward



dyed and sealed



felt glued



stitching them together


finished! I really need to find something better to string it up with



other side



back



the edges still need to be slicked but I've had enough for today.

Overall I am pleased with this being my second cheek pad. Disappointed with a few mistakes, and the design could have been a little better. Certainly better than my first, and my next will be better than this

Hope it has helped anyone interested with making one as well

Neat! Great work on the whole project.

WOW Very nice leather work.

An outstanding job. Very nicely done and explained.

Well done, great work.

This is some great work! You have quite a talent for your work.

wow, that is something i never ever would have attempted!

i'd say the next order of business is to buy a horse and try your hand at making a saddle

I really enjoyed this, thanks for posting.

Nicely done!
I just went to Michael's and bought a black foam pad for a dollar.
Matches my black PTR 91 stock perfectly and I uniformly cut it to fit
on the top of my stock. Then I applied super glue and it worked
perfectly.

Back from the dead

With creativity, the sky is the limit. I feel a little out of place in a store like Michael's buying stuff to make guns. Here is a Mosin with a stock I redid (I like glossy stocks ) that I lined with a fabric. As you can see, I still haven't gotten past what to use to attach the cheek pads.

no post with this quality of work in it should die. bravo my friend. that is quite a talent you have. beautiful work.

Great job. How long did it take ?

It really varies. I think the first one I posted took around 6 hours due to all of the double stitching. The one I posted most recently I think took closer to 3.

Very nice job! Leather thongs or G.I boot laces would look nice.