Tumbler Repair?

[J.Karl]

Hello all,

I am in the process of refurbishing an original lock for a project and ran into an issue. I’d originally thought the tumbler had broken at some point and been brazed back together. However, after looking at it more I’m not so sure.  To my eye, the braze does not follow any coherent repair pattern and after some light filing I encountered no break.  This got me wondering why would brass be on the tumbler like this?  I thought maybe as some sort of bearing surface but I wasn’t sure if this was something that was done. I thought I would post a few pictures and see if anyone has encountered this before. I’m going to have to case harden it again, as the notches have worn through the original case, so if it is brazed I’m not sure it will survive the heating.

[T*O*F]

I would posit that the original shaft wore out.  Someone drilled it out and made a new one which they brazed in place.

[deepcreekdale]

I think TOF is right. I don't think it would survive the case hardening process however. When I have done repairs on original guns with worn out parts like this, I find it easier,  less time consuming  and aggravating to just make a new part from the ground up using the original as a pattern unless there is a specific reason to keep an original part.

[Dave B]

 I agree with TOF, its been reshafted.

[rich pierce]

Brazed parts can be pack hardened. The flow temp of brass is higher than that needed for pack case hardening.

[J.Karl]

I’m thinking a replacement is the way to go. I picked up a bag of original tumblers on ebay a few years back and I have one that can be filed to fit.   

[jerrywh]

Does this mean you knew the solution before you asked the question?? 

[Ky-Flinter]

Does this mean you knew the solution before you asked the question??

Lighten up Jerry.  J.Karl did not ask how to fix it.  He asked if anyone had seen brass brazing on a tumbler, when the reason for the brazing was not readily apparent.  Which the other members answered.

-Ron