Capbox spring

[sydney]

I just rec d a small Hawken  capbox casting from TOW
 There seem to be no room to fit a spring to keep the lid open and /or closed
 has anyone used one of these and if so how did you do it??
 Any help  would be appreciated
    Thanks   Sydney

[Blacksmoke]

Sidney:  If I am not mistaken the lid spring is attached to the underside of the head of the cap box with a small machine screw.  It keeps the did open or closed by means of the cam on the forward end of the lid hinge.   Hope this helps,    Hugh

[sydney]

Hi Hugh--Yes on the larger capbox this would work but on the small version
                the mounting wood screw is very close to the hinge
                This leaves no room for a spring
                 I am missing something ??
                  Sydney

[Blacksmoke]

Sydney:   Being , primarily , flintlock builder I am not familiar with that particular cap box.  How ever in gun making one has to  be a "'problem solver" most of the time. So any thing that the parts supplier gives you which has a problem --CAN be solved! Can you post a photo of the cap box and lets have a closer look.  I used to have a poster hanging in my shop which pictured 3 little prairie dogs all standing in a row. Each one had a dandelion hanging from his mouth.  The caption read: " We eat problems for breakfast"  So send a picture and lets have a look,    Hugh Toenjes

[sydney]

My computer has decided not to download pictures from the camera
Will try again to night
I was hoping someone had faced this problem and had a quick and easy fix
    Sydney

[frogwalking]

Sydney,

I  have assembled several capbox kits, made a few from scratch, and Blacksmoke got it right the first time.  The details vary a little, from a bent spring screwed flat against the head of the cap box to a flat one screwed to a block cast or soldered on the head.  I once used a piece of hacksaw blade for a flat spring.  It works.