Hardening a Flintlock hammer

[Tim]

What is the best way for a newbie like me to harden the hammer
Of my Late Ketland lock? After taking it off to file and polish the lock
It is loose on the tumbler shaft. I want to fix this slipping and then
Harden it to prevent it in the future. Thanks.

Tim

[smart dog]

Hi Tim,
In your case, it might be tough to harden and temper the flintcock (it is called a flintcock not a hammer).  I routinely case harden the cock, frizzen and lock plate but I am set up with a heat treating oven and all the things I need.  Hardening and tempering any part on a Chambers lock will also void his warranty. To solve your loose flintcock fit on the tumbler, using a small cold chisel, hammer creases on the back side of the cock around the square hole such that the the metal is pushed inward reducing the size of the hole.  When you install it on the tumbler it should then be nice and tight and will stay that way.

dave   

[Tim]

I tried the ball bearing trick where you set the ball the hole and hit it with a hammer.
The indentations didn’t hold up and it stared slipping again.
This is a brand new lock that hasn’t been fired yet.
Can you explain where I place the chisel on the cock to make the creases you speak of.
The thing is I hope the metal is hard enough to hold the creases made with the chisel.
Any help will be appreciated.

[smart dog]

HI,
You line up the chisel with each side of the square hole about 1/32" back from the edge and smack it so metal is pushed in toward the hole.  Do that on all 4 sides.  That should hold fine without hardening unless there is something else wrong with the lock.  You also should consider sending it back to Chambers and have them install the cock or replace it.  Jim and Barbie are very good about that.

dave 

[Tim]

I will give the chisel trick a try. Hate to send it back and
Have to remove the new one to polish it and risk it not fitting
Correctly when I go to put it back on the tumbler.

[Eric Krewson]

If you have a loose flint cock they will replace it with one that fits perfectly even if they have to replace the tumbler. I have taken my chambers locks apart dozens of times during builds and never not have one go back on perfectly.

[Scota4570]

Be sure to use a square punch to remove the cock from the tumbler.  Prying it off can cause the fit to get messed up. 

[smart dog]

Hi Tim,
All of us remove flintcocks on Chambers locks whenever we build a gun.  Often I take them off and reinstall them multiple times in the course of making guns.  I never have problems with a loose fit.  How are you removing the cock from the tumbler?  If you did harden the cock, you would have to polish it after hardening anyway. One thing to check before going any further.  After you filed and polished the flintcock does the square post on the tumbler come up flush with the outside of the cock?  Does it actually protrude a little, which would mean the tumbler screw is not pushing the cock tight against the shoulder of the tumbler post. The ideal is to have the end of the tumbler post a hair shy of flush with the outside of the cock so the tumbler screw pushed the cock down on the shoulder when the screw is tight.

dave

[Tim]

Dave

I use a brass drift punch to remove the cock from the tumbler. It’s one like you use to remove wedge pins or drift sights. I did file one the tumbler post some to have it just below flush. The thing is the cock screw doesn’t screw all the way down tight against the cock. It’s as if the screw bottoms out in the threaded hole keeping it from tightening up snug against the cock.

[smart dog]

Hi Tim,
That sometimes happens when you file and polish the cock.  The remedy can be 2 things. You may need to shorten the tumbler screw a tiny bit so it tightens down.  If that does not solve it, it may be that the hole in the tumbler has to be relieved of threads a tiny bit at the top because the tumbler screw is not fully threaded right up to the underside of the head. Even though the tumbler is hardened and tempered, you can relieve those threads with a drill a little larger than the hole.  You probably only need to remove a very small amount, as little as 1 thread.  A Dremel tool with a small tapered or round grinding bit can also do the job. Regardless, the screw has to tighten against the cock and anchor it to the post or it will always risk coming loose.

dave 

[Tim]

Hey Dave
I drilled out the tumbler hole and the cock screw tightened down like it should.
Thing is the cock is still not a press fit on the tumbler. I can removed the cock with
with my hand and no tools.
Maybe I should do the chisel trick to tighten up the hole in the cock and see if that will help.
I emailed Mr Chambers and he said send it back and they will fix it for me.
That may be what I need to do.

[Robert Wolfe]

If Chambers said they would fix it I would take that opportunity. Good folks. Send 'em return postage just because.

[Tim]

I would like to post an update concerning my lock.
Mr. Jim Chambers took care of it for me in a timely manner. Those folks are first class all the way. He even said if there is a problem later on he will take care of it.
Can’t say enough good about Mr. Jim and Ms. Barbie. Thanks you guys.

Tim