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Austin Halleck Lock ID

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frederick_don

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I pulled the lock on my mountain rifle and found the mainspring snapped. I really don't know how this happened and lucky to have not lost my eye. 75 of FFg should have done this. Well long story short and parts for a Austin Halleck even shorter, I need your help or ideas to prevent is rifle from being a wall hanger. Can the lock be replace? Manufacturer? Spring replacement? Thanks. Have pics on request.
 
As near as I can tell,from your pic #1 your main spring is OK. The front of the tumbler is broken off. I suppose it could be welded, however I wouldn't attempt it my self. A new tumbler is in order. I don't know who makes the Austin lock. Perhaps someone here on the forum can give you a parts supplier. Good luck.
 
The locks were made in Spain by the same folks that make traditions locks.I was surprised they had spanish barrels also. They were pricey but nice looking guns.
Good luck
Nit Wit
 
I found that the locks may have been maufactured by Ardesa, but the search turned up with little more info that I have now.
 
Len Graves said:
As near as I can tell,from your pic #1 your main spring is OK. The front of the tumbler is broken off.
Yup, the spring is OK, new tumbler needed. Check with TOTW or Dixie, should maybe have something close.
 
I think Traditions bought up the Austin & Halleck leftovers after the company went out of business.

Maybe someone at Traditions knows where a person can buy lock parts?
 
It looks to have a similar mainspring, tumbler and tumbler link but I would suggest calling Traditions and asking about it before I payed much money for the replacement tumbler.

There is also a chance they don't have those parts available which would be another question to ask them before ordering.
 
I will call today and post an update. If they are the same parts, I more than likely will buy several sets.
 
Can the lock be replaced?

Sure, but will involve condsiderable work on your part. Today's Davis and L&R locks are far superior to that on your rifle, plus spares are readily available.

Assuming you've not done a lock swap before:

The Track of the Wolf catalog has full size images of various percussion locks: find one that has about the same length lock plate. If the replacement lock is "slightly" larger, you may be able to modify it to fit the lock recess. You will need to make/modify the area where the drum fits. Select a version that does not have the recess already cut, so you can adjust the placement to fit your barrel.

Now see how the hammer nose strikes the nipple. Some cold bending can achieve a good fit. Buy a spare hammer as you will probably crack the first one when trial fitting ... but now you know how far to bend it.

See where the lock's sear and trigger bar mesh. If you are lucky, it may work OK with the A&H set triggers. Otherwise, anneal the sear and bend it slightly. Buy two as you will likely break the first one,

Or buy a new tumbler of about the same size, complete with stirrup, then fit it to your lock geometry. Machining & re-heat treating will be required.

Or buy a stirrup of about the right size and fit it. Much filing and trial fitting will be required. And know that you still have a basically Spanish lock of unknown metalurgy.

The replacement/repair won't be easy but give it a try, as the alternative is a wall-hanger. Don't give up.
 
Not all Hallecks were created equal.
I have a Provo gun that the quality is second to none.
Very very nice and the lock is as nice as they come.
I don't think Chambers could even make a better one.
I don't know if I got a one off when I ordered this one
but everything oozes quality.
I would maybe trace the lock and talk/send it to track
to get a replacement if it was one of the tradition late offerings.
I wouldn't doubt mine was built by the browning guys :idunno:
 
Torn down the lock and added the pics for the tumbler. I am going to send the pics to TOW and see if they have any ideas as well. Until then I have added for your viewing pleasure. Input welcome.
Tumbler 1 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492916939/

Tumbler 2 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492920931/

Tumbler 3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492924887/

Tumbler 4 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492930435/

Tumbler 5 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492934451/

Tumbler 6 http://www.flickr.com/photos/71642682@N04/6492938757/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The photos are most helpful.

It is the finger on the tumbler that holds the stirrip pin that broke, not the stirrip as I had thought. The tumbler is junk.

I suppose someone could weld the broken finger back in place ... but if the weld fails, I'm not sure what would happen as the main spring now has nothing to press against ... maybe the hammer wouldn't move.

A new tumbler is needed, and I doubt any modern available version will be a drop-in fit. I note the original has a fly, so that is another item to look for in a replacement.

Obviously your lock has some questionable metalurgy, but other A&H owners seem pleased. As for me, I'd go for a replacement modern lock.

The A&H I've worked on had nice wood, good fit and finish, but suffered from questionable metalurgy in the lock and drum.

I'd work on another lock as the rifle appears too nice to become a wallhanger
 
I wouldn't even bother to look into welding.

Without knowing exactly what kind of steel the tumbler is made from, getting a good weld would be very difficult.

Even if a nice looking weld was made, this area of the tumbler is under a great deal of stress. So much so that the weld must be able to be heat treated to a high tensile strength.
In other words, the weld filler must be a hardenable steel and following welding, the entire tumbler would have to be re-hardened and tempered.
 

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