Mainspring Help

[Majorjoel]

  I have an old percussion lock that has the little "tit" appendage on the mainspring broken off through the lock plate. Other than that the mainspring is in fine shape. I was wondering how one would go about fixing (adding a new appendage) or if these little protruding dimples are formed in one piece from the mainspring itself?? It is an area that would have to take a lot of stress, so would silver solder be sufficient for such a fix?  Any help with this would sure be much appreciated!........Joel

[Swampwalker]

That little 'tit' is either cast with or forged with the spring.  Any attempts to weld one back on would cause a sever stress riser at that point, and I doubt such a repair would last long.  Your best bet is to find a new one thats close and modify it to fit, or find a gunsmith that can do it for you.

[Dphariss]

  I have an old percussion lock that has the little "tit" appendage on the mainspring broken off through the lock plate. Other than that the mainspring is in fine shape. I was wondering how one would go about fixing (adding a new appendage) or if these little protruding dimples are formed in one piece from the mainspring itself?? It is an area that would have to take a lot of stress, so would silver solder be sufficient for such a fix?  Any help with this would sure be much appreciated!........Joel

Just make a new spring. You have a good pattern. Or find one that will work as a replacement.
Welding is not likely to work so all the work is done than the spring fails anyway, assuming it will weld cleanly in the first place.

Dan

[gunmaker]

Look thru Tracks catalog, gun parts are full scale. You mite get lucky & find one thats close.  Even if you have to drill the pin hole in new location.  Dixie used to have tons a MS for sale as well.....Tom

[Artificer]

Look thru Tracks catalog, gun parts are full scale. You mite get lucky & find one thats close.  Even if you have to drill the pin hole in new location.  Dixie used to have tons a MS for sale as well.....Tom

Tom has a good point.  Dixie Gun Works also offers (or at least used to)  a service where you send in a broken main spring and they will pick one out that can be fitted.
Information Line  1-731-885-0700
Toll Free (orders ONLY)  1-800-238-6785

I ordered a replacement reproduction mainspring for an original 1836 Waters and Johnson Flintlock Pistol from Dixie a couple years ago.  It BARELY did work, but I had to be extremely careful of adjusting the post that MajorJoel talked about above..  Actually, since those pistols were not made on the Interchangeable Parts Pattern System, I have to admit it was a bit of a wonder the repro mainspring they had could be fit.  Also, it saved me and the customer time and money by being able to get a mainspring that worked.

Gus

[JTR]

Joel, I've gas welded one back on. It was an antique lock and wasn't going to be flexed much, and has held so far.

Also, I didn't try to weld just the tiny tit, but instead ground out a small half moon shape on the limb of the spring, and a matching piece of new spring material with enough width to be able to regrind a new tit.
You obviously need to re-temper the spring when done welding and grinding.

A lot of work, but it worked!
A replacement spring would be the way to go, unless the original spring is 'important'.

John