Hi Ron, Thanks for the compliments. I had seen pictures of the original spring arrangement. The one I created is similar to that although not identical. When I was building this piece, once I got to the patchbox, I was undecided about it and was thinking of just creating a standard John Rupp box with the front finial(KRA disc #13), knowing the side opener would be a challenge. But after much thought and a couple of back-and-forth PM's with Eric K., I decided that the side opening box on this Lehigh is what makes this gun so unique. So, down the rabbit hole I went. The riveted spring was the most challenging part, and also what made it so unique as well.
I did several iterations of the spring with 1095 until I got it right, testing it clamped to the hinge plate in a vise. I knew I had only one shot at it as once the rivets were in, they're in. Thankfully it turned out well. TommyG