No Metal Reciever Under Hammer, what do ya think?

[BS]

I have thought about this, but never tried it! If you took a Hawken stock or any stock that was not inletted for the lock and trigger, and cut a grove in the bottom to fit the H&A trigger and hammer. No metal receiver, just cross bolt the hammer and trigger pins. Use a long wood screw on the trigger guard an you are done, other than inlet the Tang and Barrel.

What do ya think, a wooden reciever ::

 

[Stumpkiller]

I think the wood would eventually fail. The trigger guard is the mainspring in an underhammer and needs a solid anchor on the fixed end. I suppose you could inlay a well secured trigger plate to anchor the bow to.

Than you'd only need to drill the hammer and trigger pivot holes with enough accuracy that they engage the sear properly.

 

[BS]

Yep, the holes would have to be held to a close tolerance, and maybe inlet a backer plate for the main spring.

 

[44-henry]

It's a neat idea, and a proven one, it was done in at least a couple case in the past. There is a book on Underhammers that was written back I beleive in the 60's and it was and probably still is the definitive work on the subject, there are some good pictures and a few line drawings of such a lock. It was actually recreated in the 1960's by a pretty well known target shooter using a coil spring setup.

If you did it make sure it has a long enough tang that could be screwed to the breech tang, this would secure it at that end, the forward portion would actually be further secured by a special nipple arrangement that locked it to the barrel, much like a washer around a bolt. This setup would also contain a large portion of the flash from the percussion cap. I think you would be well served to experiement with this system, you can easily create a set trigger arrangement with it as well. I don't think if done properly that it would weaken the stock, just have to remember to inlet it carefully and take no more wood away than is necessary and it should work fine.

 

[BS]

ALJ,

Any idea on the name of the author or book, sounds like some interesting reading.

 

[faw3]

ya mr too would like to know.

 

[faw3]

muzzblazt has run a few things on these, billinhurst brockway hillard on and on made this kind from 1 and 58s at 40 rods 10 shots to 550 and 1100 yard 40 pounders throwing a 600 gr 50 cal. texas was ate up withem 1830s to 18?? a biiinhurst 45 26 inch took the aggregate in a story in aug 2000 single shot exchange,beat out the parker hales (real) rigbys it didnt win the 1000 yd, anyway in texas back then you had to fix it!carry a nipple or 2,hammer trigger and the triggerguardspring oh ya a extra tapper pin to hold stock to barrel you could carve the stock.....2 moveing parts k.i.s.s. sorry i keep going on ive been laid up in bed for 8 yrs all i do is take care of my kid and read.thanks guys.

 

[44-henry]

I'll take a look when I get home, it's somewhere on my bookshelf but I've not looked at it for awhile. It is a good book, though long out of print. I bought mine on Ebay some years back, and I figure you could still scare up a copy occasionally that way still. The guy who sells the new underhammer actions on auctionarms was selling a few I think, that's the last ones I remember seeing for sale.

 

[BS]

I just bought "Pictorial History of the Underhammer, by Herschel C. Logan" he also has another book of Underhammers. Now I wait for delivery!

 

[lanedh]

Probably "Underhammer Guns" by Herschel Logan, Stackpole Publishers in Harrisburg, PA. An excellent reference for underhammers of all types and times (flinters, too).

 

[BS]

Yep, that's the one.
Thanks, Bluejacket!

 

[Slamfire]

There's a couple on Guns America listings, here a pic of the best looking one.

underhammer

 

[Stumpkiller]

I'm thinkin that one looks more like a receiver with wood cheeks than a receiverless underhammer. You can see the slot milled in the trigger plate for the hammer to drop down. I will bet there are metal "ears" in the plate piece for the hammer and trigger pins.

Though it looks very sleek and would certainly be worth replicating. Be a bit easier working a slot or two in brass bar stock than casting or cutting a receiver. Tou's want a barrel-tang and a half on that baby. A lot of barrel to support with little to attach to. Two bolts up through the trigger plate?

The bottom image shows no barrel tang at all outside the wood. :hmm: Straight tang in-line with the bore and a butt-screw like a modern two-piece shotgun stock? Hmmmmm?

 

[BS]

This is one of my receivers that I milled the sides out for wood inlays, it will make it lighter and warmer to carry in the cold. I plan on using slabs from the same wood as the stock and some small screws to attach them.

 

[44-henry]

Sorry to get back so late, the Logan book is indeed the one that I have copyright 1960, so it's been out for a few years. I've seen a few books that deal with underhammers, but so far this is the best that I've come across.

 

[dd832]

I thought you were a machinist when I saw your website of the underhammers you've made. They are really, really nice! How do you locate the hole in the breechplug to make your barrels interchangeable - just very accurate mill work?

 

[BS]

The hole in the receiver and the plug are the most critical holes. They are indicated and drilled on a Bridgport Mill.

I also made a JIG that I can use to locate the holes in the breech plug on a drill press.

And I have a hand tool that will face the Barrel square to the plug. Most of the threaded breech holes are not square to the barrel, or not as square as they could be. I got tired of rethreading the holes, so I came up with a facing tool that allows me to use any ole crooked hole.

I will get some pictures of this stuff up....soon...maybe! :hmm:

BS
my web page

 

[dd832]

Before I forget again, I want to compliment you on your new receiver with the cut-outs for the wood panels. That is really going to be a fine looking UH. I think your design is among the best I've seen.

Is the breechplug hole offset from the receiver hole by a couple of thousands? How do you achieve a snug fit between the breech face and the receiver? I'm curious how it is done so there is no movement between the barrel & receiver.

Mike Spray

 

[BS]

dd832,
Yea, the locking hole in the receiver is offset from the breech plug hole. Can't tell all my secrets, just yet!
bs

 

[faw3]

could you tell me who to get these books from im bedbound 95 day out of a 100 and do nothing but read.thank you