I am trying to find a period correct mainspring vice for the FI. war or the Rev. war, all I can seem to find are civil war or repoductions of ones from fine cased english shotguns, I know its a preaty basic tool, did they change that much ? does any one sell hand forged ones? , I have a period correct ball mold, turn screw, pos. bag, powder horn, Ect... would just like a main spring vice to go with it, also how common was it for a extra lock to be carried in the possible bag as a just in-case item, were spare parts commonly carried? Any imput would be a great help!
Mainspring Vice and extra Lock questian
- Thread starter Leithan
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B.Habermehl
45 Cal.
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I would think that carring a extra lock would have been extremely uncommon. Probably even a spare mainspring also. I would expect that only a gunsmith would be fooling around with lock work. I really don't think that spring vises have changed that much through the years. Except that each gunsmith probably made his own. May be he had a couple slightly different spring vises, for different size/shaped springs. :imo: This is not a researched opinion, but I rather certain that I am correct. BJH
From my reading, it was very uncommon for the average firearm owner to have the skills to make repairs. Usually the lock and trigger were not ever dismounted by the owners.
However, if i am out and about, a spare mainspring & vise or even a spare lock beats the pants out of missing an event or a hunt due to breakage. And they are both a lot cheaper than having a spare gun!
best
shunka
However, if i am out and about, a spare mainspring & vise or even a spare lock beats the pants out of missing an event or a hunt due to breakage. And they are both a lot cheaper than having a spare gun!
best
shunka
IMHO it is unlikely a spare lock was ever carried. This was before investment casting and CAD manufacture, and each lock was a one-of-a-kind. To employ a gunsmith to purposely create a twin of an existing lock would cost a frontiersman several months worth of earnings. All for a luxury that may never be needed.
A spare mainspring and perhaps a frizzen would make much more sense. To know what was carried in a F&I War era shooting bag, you'll first have to find one that can be proven as such without "contamination" from later handling or item additions. The next one will be the first.
A spare mainspring and perhaps a frizzen would make much more sense. To know what was carried in a F&I War era shooting bag, you'll first have to find one that can be proven as such without "contamination" from later handling or item additions. The next one will be the first.
calico jack
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I was given a spring vise a couple of years ago that is suppose to be correct for that period. There's not much to it. I'll try to discribe it, but I won't guarantee that you will know what I'm talking about. It is made out bar stock 3 1/2" long by 3/4" high. A 1/2 inch up from the bottom is a notch cut 1/2" inch deep by 1 3/8" long. There is a threaded hole in the bottom and a 3" long screw with a winged end that goes up through the hole. There is no cross bar as on a modern spring vice. The screw compresses the spring against the top edge of the notch. The top end of the bar, about 1", is hammered into a fan with a thin edge. This was meant to be used as a screw driver. The fanned end slopes downward at a slight angle. It also makes a good flint knapper. I have tried using it a couple of time. It tends to slip when you screw it down and really doesn't hold the spring real tight. If you bump it the spring can pop out. It looks good, but I don't trust it. I hope this gives you some idea of what one may have looked like. I'm not too sure how correct this one is or who made it. Like I said it was a gift.
