Back action mystery

[Canute Rex]

Maybe a simply solved mystery to those in the know.

I have a heavy barreled 42 caliber rifle made by Nelson Lewis. It has the classic NY style back action lock. The mystery is the sear spring. At present the lock has an obviously recent make-do sear spring that is just an eighth inch wide piece of spring steel with a curve in it tucked inside the V of the mainspring. It kind of floats around and doesn't really work consistently. The odd thing is that I can't find any indication of an attachment point for a sear spring. No screw hole, no pin hole, no pin nor nub nor notch. Not even a broken off screw.

I looked at a parts list for a back action lock on Track and they list a sear spring with a loop on the end for a screw, and the screw to match.

What am I missing? Or was the original sear spring just wider and longer and made to sit inside the mainspring?

[Collector]

Couple of Q.'s  Set trigger?  Single set?  Missing any linkage?  Lock maker?

Maybe one of the other members with a like-model, can post a photo of their internals.

[Canute Rex]

Single trigger, all linkages present, no maker's markings.

[Bob Roller]

Some back action locks have the sear controlled by a thin section
of the mainspring's lower limb.The leverage to make it work as a main
spring to fire the rifle is obtained by a stud or screw that prevents the
spring from rotating.I'd say there is a replaced mainspring in this lock
that is not right for the job.

Bob Roller

[Canute Rex]

The mainspring does look like a replacement. That's probably it. Thanks Bob.

[albert]

When I get back home from vacation I could take pictures of the two N Lewis locks that I have if it would help.

[Canute Rex]

Albert, that would be terrific, thanks.

[mountainman70]

Hi Rex,I have an old original back action for a rifle size gun,rt hand,and it has the long mainspring that does both jobs,as Bro Roller mentioned.The spring in my lock is broken on the sear end,but there was a spare spring that came with the lock when I got it,and with some minor fitting can be made to work.At the present time,I have a piece of spring steel stock,about 2 inchesby 1/8 wide,bent in a arch,that is forced back into mainspring,and returns the sear nicely,
I dont like the looks of it,and I know it aint kosher.I have looked into the idea of fitting a conventional type sear spring,with screw,into the lock to do the job.I am about afraid to use the good spring I have for fear of breaking it and not having a replacement.Just some food for thought.If you need pics,I can get them on here tommorow.Dave

[mountainman70]

Rex,check latests pics and post on 8bore shotgun by Runar.This should fix ya rite up.Dave

[Canute Rex]

I have ordered up some thin pieces of spring steel. (Actually, they are replacement springs for a tattoo gun - go figure) I'll see what I can do in terms of fabricating a sear spring.

The inside of my lock looks very much like the one in Runar's 8-bore (no surprise), but mine lacks the screw hole for the sear spring. It was probably originally the extended mainspring type that Bob Roller mentioned.

Thanks to everyone for pitching in.