patch box release spring

[hortonstn]

spent the week end installing the patchbox release in my new beck,
it works but the spring tension is horendus impossible to push using your finger. i used one of tow's springs with the screw in the bottom. i ground it down as far as i think i can. still hard, any ideas , what can i replace the spring with to make it usable
thoughts appreciated
paul

[flehto]

Perthaps redraw it to light blue/gray color? ....Fred

[smylee grouch]

Sometimes you can remove a small sliver of wood behind the spring and it will flex with less effort.  Dont remove the sliver down where the bottom of the spring is, just halfway or so.

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

Just remove some of the wood behind the spring so the spring goes in at an angle. and make sure the spring is not too far into the finial side. The higher up the finial the more resistance you'll get from the spring. You don't need a lot of throw in the spring to pop the door.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Here's a picture I took of the spring release I made for Leatherbelly's Beck rifle.  It is of mild steel.  It has plenty of tension but is easy to use.

[smylee grouch]

Love it Taylor and a prayer hole to boot. The picture explains everything. Good looking setup.

[hortonstn]

thanks guys, I did it after a full weekend and a couple hours I have one of the slickest pb releases I've ever done
just goes to show how valuable this forum is
thanks again
paul

[Brian Jordan]

Love it Taylor and a prayer hole to boot. The picture explains everything. Good looking setup.

I don't mean to get off topic, but can you elaborate on the "prayer hole"? How deep is it, and what is it for? I have never heard that term before.

[Acer Saccharum]

Hole for  a Rolled up piece of paper with a prayer or line or two from scripture on it.

[RAT]

I've seen pictures of originals with these holes. Is that really what they're for? Speculation? Myth? Worm? Ball screw?

[rich pierce]

I've seen pictures of originals with these holes. Is that really what they're for? Speculation? Myth? Worm? Ball screw?

Could be.  I suspect some owners used them for one thing, some for another.

[BIGMAN]

I've seen pictures of originals with these holes. Is that really what they're for? Speculation? Myth? Worm? Ball screw?

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=9335.0

Check it out. Some were found with the prayers still in there.

[T*O*F]

Taylor,
Can we assume that the two pieces of wood inside the box were glued in after you drilled the cavity out?  I see tool marks under the rear one.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

No Dave, the block that supports the end of the spring is integral with the butt stock wood - not added.  I did however, add a piece under the other end of the spring.  You may be able to see the glue joint along the floor of the box.  This method of attachment was 'perceived' from the photos of original Beck rifles I have on file.  I have seen others where the attachment end of the spring was simply driven into the end grain within the box.