How to find a replacement spring that’ll fit a possible jap made musket.

[6elegere]

Hi! I have an issue ongoing with a mainspring on a Brown Bess which I had gotten from a gun store in grant county IN. I believe that it’s a Miroku Japanese Brown Bess though. Could you modify a Pedersoli mainspring to fit a jap reproduction? On track of the wolf, it says it can be modified to fit. The stock is the same shape, the lock is marked TOWER but unfortunately there are marks that are almost gone. For example, in the photo with the serial number, it says what I believe to be “made in Japan” but it is hard to tell since the engraving is mostly gone.

 

[hawkeye2]

It looks to be a Miroku but clear photos of the lock and trigger guard would help, try photographing against a dark background if you can't lighten them by editing. I could be wrong but I remember the Japanese mainspring as being much stronger and possibly larger.

 

[6elegere]

It looks to be a Miroku but clear photos of the lock and trigger guard would help, try photographing against a dark background if you can't lighten them by editing. I could be wrong but I remember the Japanese mainspring as being much stronger and possibly larger.

I’ll attach more images of lock and trigger guard. The lock between the **** and hammer is a little worn out and then the trigger guard is flattish on at the bottom.

 

[hawkeye2]

Miroku, looks like someone has done some upgrades like refinishing the wood, sling swivels, may have removed some markings.

 

[6elegere]

How much does these typically go for? If it’s what I’ve been told, I got it for pretty cheap compared to Pedersoli or other Miroku made muskets

 

[nhmoose]

Try Dixie Gun Works. You will most likely have to fit it, or send it straight to The Log Cabin Shop for the lock fix.

How much is it worth? I sold several used Japanese made Bess from my shop All were used workable guns and got from $700-900 to condition. I retired from it 9-10 years or so ago

 

[FlinterNick]

I’ve replaced a few mainsprings on Miroku Brown Bess Locks.

The Pedersoli springs made today won’t work because of the length between the tumbler and lower leg And the blind lug would need to be relocated... can you alter the Pedersoli spring to fit? Sure, you can try but Pedersoli springs are made in a completed hardened state and are oven tempered, by playing with the Pedersoli spring you will run the risk of cracking it which is easy to do. The Pedersoli springs are made with a different type of spring steel that is sensitive to high heat when Hardening and tempering, its not like working with 1070, 1095 or 6150 spring Steel here in the USA.

The best option is the buy a casted Spring. I would recommend a 3rd model Brown Bess Spring Because I have found over the years that the Pedersoli and Miroku Brown Bess Springs closely resemble third model springs, not so much first model springs Because of the size of the spring and the lower leg length. Second Model Springs would work too for the later 1777 short land pattern.

Dixie Gun Works has both first model and third model casted mainsprings, this are pretty good springs and I have used them on replacements. They come tempered and are easy to work with.

I use Butche’s Antique Gun Parts, Butch will copy your miroku spring in 6150 steel, can’t get any better than that !

The Track of the Wolf Long Land Mainspring is too big.

Rifle Shoppe has several mainspring options Too for the Brown Bess.

Peter Dyson and Son in the UK has a few options too.

 

[satwel]

Definitely a Miroku. I have one that I am about to restock. My lock looks exactly like yours.

 

[6elegere]

Definitely a Miroku. I have one that I am about to restock. My lock looks exactly like yours.

I called into the store a few days in advance to see if they got anything in like a ‘77 Charleville, ‘75 Springfield or Bess. The owner said he has never seen any flintlocks or percussion cap rifled muskets in his store before. A few days later, he purchased (my Brown Bess) from a guy just the day before I visited his store. I’ve seen these Miroku jap muskets go for a decent bit of money at an Auction before. I had managed to fix the issue with my mainspring. The spring became detached from the sear and I ordered a mainspring vise. fortunately no cracks or chips. This find was just sheer luck.

 

[rusty]

you may want to talk to a man named Bob Roller he is a lock maker you can find him on the ALR forum [American long rifles]

 

[toot]

ACKERMAN & SONS, they have them.