Building a set of Cumberland School triggers

[bama]

Here are a few pictures of the building process of these triggers. I am using my original Thomas Simpson triggers as a model for these triggers. I have temporary screws in the new set of triggers for the main spring screw and the engagement screw.

Jim

[SingleMalt]

That's impressive.  How'd you open the area where the triggers and spring fit?

[n stephenson]

Very Cool Jim!! Knowing you have that Simpson, is such a teaser!!  The students that take your classes , are learning from a first class teacher. This beautiful trigger set , is but another example of your skills!  Nice Job!  Nate

[bama]

Thanks Nate

SingleMalt, I cheated a little and used my mill to hog out the area where the triggers and main spring goes. The original triggers were made by brazing the ears onto the trigger plate that house the triggers. I thought that milling this area out would be easier but after doing the work I actually believe brazing would be the easier way to go. On the next set I build I will braze them on.

Jim

[KC]

That’s a pretty neat project, Jim. It looks like a good bit of hack saw work. Was that big chunk of metal you started with a piece of mild steel?

I’ve been reading Bill Newton’s booklet on triggers and was wanting to give this a try, I’m glad you posted some pictures. I don’t have any antique triggers around to use for templates but I do have a Davis double set trigger kit that would make a good set of templates to copy.
K.C.

[SingleMalt]

That makes perfect sense.  I also thought of high temp solder. 

[flinchrocket]

Those are some nice looking triggers. Great job.

[rich pierce]

Real labor of love.  Nice work!

[bama]

Sorry I didn't give what materials I used. The trigger plate is mild steel, the triggers and main spring are made of 1095 spring steel. I hardened the triggers and main spring tempering the main spring back so it will not break. The front trigger return spring was made from a piece of hack saw blade.

[Curtis]

Way cool Jim, you may have inspired me to try and build a set of similar triggers in the not so distant future!   

Curtis

[Bob Roller]

Good looking job.The labor intensive nature of the methods used will keep me in my easy chair most
of the week. An equipped machine shop is not needed if determination is present.

Bob Roller

[Mike Brooks]

OH LORDY! What a lot of work! I have been thinking I'll make a trigger set after I retire and don't have to make living doing it. I remember when Myron Carlson used to make set triggers for 40 bucks a pop. Nice job BTW.

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Very impressive work. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

It takes perseverance and a lot of energy to create that set.  Another source for reference is Jim Webb's book on locks and triggers.  I love to see this sort of craftsmanship.

[P.W.Berkuta]

Thanks Nate

SingleMalt, I cheated a little and used my mill to hog out the area where the triggers and main spring goes. The original triggers were made by brazing the ears onto the trigger plate that house the triggers. I thought that milling this area out would be easier but after doing the work I actually believe brazing would be the easier way to go. On the next set I build I will braze them on.

Jim

Nice job. I silver braze my ears on the trigger plate then dress it to shape. One suggestion when you do the braze thing you want to bend the trigger plate to final shape before you braze the ears on.

[David Rase]

Way cool Jim, you may have inspired me to try and build a set of similar triggers in the not so distant future!   

Curtis

Curtis,
Great, I will be looking forward to seeing a set of triggers come out of your shop made from a railroad spike.   
Dave

[David Rase]

Jim, I really like how high the rear set trigger is pinned.  I bet it sets with little effort.
David

[Tim Crosby]

 WOW! You get an A+ for sawing & filing, I wish I had that much energy. Give the future something to think about and leave the temp screw

  Tim   

[Curtis]

Curtis,
Great, I will be looking forward to seeing a set of triggers come out of your shop made from a railroad spike.   
Dave

David, I was thinking perhaps along the lines of using a tent peg and an old toaster, utilizing a rusty Swiss Army knife.....  lol!   

Curtis

[David R. Pennington]

I made a set and forged an old wrench into the plate and used circular saw blade for triggers. Pinned with drill rod and forged spring from hay rake tooth. Hack saw blade for feather spring also.

[BOB HILL]

Thanks for sharing this prodject, Jim. This is one I've never tried before.
Bob