doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Replacing damaged screw

I have a, most likely Birmingham, boxlock and the front screw that holds the bottom trigger plate to the action is damaged. About 1/4 of the top broke off. I am hoping I can find something that fits and not go the expense of having one made from scratch.

There is a company in England that make screws and other spares.

Most likely it might be British Standard Whitworth threads. You can buy individual dies to thread a blank screw.

Could be a number of different thread types, but more than likely it’ll be BA, probably either 2 or 1. In rare instances, BSC. Sometimes, depending on the age of the gun….it can be proprietary. They didn’t use the best tooling back then, and tap and die’s would wear down, and the screwer would continue to use the worn tooling…so sometimes when making a new pin/screw…you re-tap the hole to properly match the newly cut screw/pin threads. Pretty common when making a new pin.

What about welding and recut the slot?

Because it’s easier to just make a new one.

Way easier.

That's why I've got a whole drawer full of BSF, BSW, UNF, UNC, Metric, BA and on and on. Something's gonna work.....

And people wonder why it costs a little money, just to make a screw. And engrave it, and harden it....and get the old one out.

Mike Rowe did name a lot of threads you may find. I would like to put a few more of the obscure ones you may find.
BSB (British Standard Brass) this one can cause a lot of angst because it has the same inch thread count no matter what the diameter is always 26. This threading can be found on cleaning rods and accessories especially "Parker Hale."
BSP (British Standard Pipe)
BSPT (British Standard Pipe Tapered)
ME (Model Engineer)
Not all guns started out with these odd ball threads. but used on repairs especially holes with striped threads with British Cycle and Model Engineer very often found.

Nitrah;

As has been stated it is most likely a BA thread.

When I retired and decided to continue in my hobby of restoring English side x side shotguns I decided that I need to learn to engrave. Screws needed to be engraved and actions needed engraving sometimes. So I spent 3 years learning to engrave.

I enjoy helping others like you who have a problem, so if will send the old screw down to me I will make you one, engrave and black it. The screw slot may or may not exactly line up exactly as one needs the gun in hand to make the screw that way. If you will pay the postage both ways I will make it for you gratis. PM me.

Kindest Regards;
Stephen Howell

Nitrah,
Bushveld requested that I post a photo showing his capabilities in making, engraving and blacking a new screw.
I can vouch that Bushveld is highly capable and competent of doing very nice, extremely fine work. He’s a very talented individual and a heck of a nice guy!! I’m happy to call him a friend.