Revdocdrew,thanks for the link to the Silvers pad,1 1/2 will be plenty thick, I measured the one on it now and it's a little over 1".
This is my third LC, I have used the small cresent wrench to cock with no problem at all,works great.
While I would never think of dragging any of my guns on wire I think these guns may have been thought of as no more than a tool to put food on the table,even more so a field grade.
My father told me stories on how my grandfather would always take his SxS to work at Greenfield Tap and Die in Mass, whatever he could get on the way home was dinner. I think that gun was rarely cleaned and spent its life propped in the corner of the garage when not in use, sure wish I had that gun.
John
