Mule Ear Lock identification

[ike]

I have a mule ear lock with a weak spring and it does not hit the cap hard enough to make it fire. I have attached pictures for you to look at and give me some idea who made it or how to solve the problem.

 

[Bnewberry]

Short term, try a washer under the spring to give the speing a bit more room to work.

Actual fix is to heat, bend, normalize and heat treat.

I have a pair of mule ear locks, one with a weak spring a washer solved the problem but I am worried that it creates a stress point so I will fix it the next time I am running my forge.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

I don't know if it is an Italian lock as used by Navy Arms or one made by Dale Storey (DGS). The gunsmith at The Log Cabin Shop in Lodi OH can repair or make a new spring for your lock.

 

[hanshi]

The washer sounds like a reasonable temporary fix but a new or fixed spring is on your horizon.

 

[Metalshaper]

here is the 'Kit' version of your lock, with a brass lock plate. I have searched trying to find out who made these?
I think your mainspring is a replacement? it should have some arch to it and the base <at the screw> should be nearly flat to the plate.
as it is, to my eye, the spring is mostly pivoting ( on the screw) more than 'loading up' tension.

 

[Metalshaper]

here is a plan/drawing for the Navy Arms lock..My bud and I got the chance to work on and measure. ( you can see the arch in the spring )

the two locks pictured are the ones I make. The one in front is my take on an outside mainspring. the other in back, is a Medberry style and
shows the arch in the spring.. on the outside spring, it arches down and through the plate to engage the tumbler portion of the hammer.

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan