Thanks for the kind words folks!
Mr.Merrill,
I have only a few digital pictures of guns I have built and not very good pics at that! I'm a poor photographer. There are quite a few in TOW's archives but I don't think Dave would appreciate me copying his photos to post here. I'll see what I can find stored away deep within the bowels of this troublesome computer and maybe take some more pics of the present project. I hope to get it finished before spring field work or it'll hang on the rack above my bench-unfinished-for another few months.
Dr. Tim,
The spring isn't strong enough to actually pull the lid down. It has enough tension to latch securely and that's about it. Now, with the dry winter air in MN, the lid is a rather loose fit but I guarantee that will change by mid-summer.
Mr. Kibler,
I'm glad to hear there were some originals made in that fashion. My latch system is probably unorthodox however....
Ted K.