doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Internal view of bar action hammer locks.

I took off the locks of my new gun to show how nicely made these locks are. Considering the gun has been around for 138 years, the workmanship, functionality and resistance to the elements and ravages of time these things can demonstrate is never less than breathtaking. I know modern machines can make parts to fantastic tolerances. But how much better than this can you get regardless of technology?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...e=1&theater

This is from an 1885 L.C. Smith, much the same design as to sear spring, mainspring stirrup and bridle. A lot of work to make this lock.
To cut some costs in 1897, L.C. Smith did away with the block to hold the short leg of the mainspring and used a pin (screw post). This way the lock plate could be made the same thickness without having to mill away most of it to make the block.

I will make no comment on comparable quality as it always results in hate mail

Almost more amazing than the lock itself, is the skill with which the inletting was done. The perfect mirror image and cuts; true art.

Thanks for sharing.

Phil

As Derek and Clive would have said "That mainspring gives me the horn".

Well excuse me for showing it. But does yours shoot any better than this one? I don't see any more fancy machining on yours.

Plus I don't see why you had to bring that up, I just showed how they were both the same.

I don't thing there is much Fancy Machining on dig's lock ....fancy filing more like.
franc

That is a well put up gun you have there, Dig.

Small Bore;

Lovely mainspring with the taper of the limbs and gap clearance when compressed just perfect, not to mention the perfect polish.

Whilst not, the fit and finish of a Purdey, the photos show what excellent quality there there was in lower tier shotguns of the era and demonstrates what can be done by a craftsman who was taught to file level--usually in a workshop absent any machinery and electricity at that time. Maybe a treadle lathe and a "bow" drill if they were lucky.

Bv

Thanks for providing the photos.

JDW, no offence intended and thank you for showing the pictures, they are interesting and nicely illustrated.

I do get myself in to trouble any time I discuss quality and people start getting defensive and/or aggressive and territorial about the guns under discussion.

I'm not trying to score points for or against anyone's favourite thing for the sake of it. I try to be factual and make observations based on what is there to be seen and observed. Had you shown a photo of the internals of an American gun by the likes of Tonks, I would be equally effusive about the fantastic quality of that.

I hope this board is a useful resource for disseminating knowledge and information. In point of fact, the quality differential between the Smith and the Thorn are manifold and would be interesting to observe and discuss.

I'm not having ago at you personally. I apologise if it appeared to be so.