I always tell myself I am not going to do this anymore, but at a recent show I got snookered into a repair job on a no-name, cheap import flintlock musket. The owner had the mainspring tied to the lock, said it belonged to his father and he wanted the spring put back in, not for shooting but just for display. Feeling weak I agreed. Of course the problem was the mainspring stirrup to the tumbler was broken. %@*#! I can't imagine this monster could ever fire as the lock parts are so rough and crude. Not to mention, the mainspring, which is some weird sort of back action deal and also serves as the sear spring was strong enough for a locomotive. Made one stirrup, with music wire pins which promptly broke where the metal was thinnest around the pins when cocked. I then made a one piece stirrup out of O1 steel. I ground down the mainspring to manageable strength but should I leave the O1 as is or is it better to heat it, oil quench, then temper to make it stronger. I promise I will never accept another job like this.
