Tumbler Screw

[Randy]

I am looking for a tumbler screw to fit an old English double with external hammers. One screw is missing. The other screw appears to have #5 X 48 threads, about 0.33" diameter head and is about 1/4" long. I have called the usual suppliers ( Brownell's, Dixie Guns and TOW) and nobody has any ideas other than stealing one from another old double gun. I forgot all about asking around at the gunshow at Lexington last week. (Too busy moping the drool off my chin I guess) Thread size is about all that is real important, as I can adjust the head to match if it is bigger.
I checked with a few machine shops looking for a die so I could make one, but only found #5 x 40. If anyone knows of a source or has one lying around I would appreciate hearing about it. Thanks,

 

[BLAHMAN]

I had an old double that needed the same thing. Basically, I made the screw and here's how I did it:

I had a lock screw from another gun, the screw that holds the lock fast to the wood. This screw had some stripped threads and was replaced. Not wanting to throw anything away, I used this as a base to solve my problem.

I chucked the screw into my drill press and rounded the head to match the old one. I got it pretty close.

Then I filed, as best I could, using the drill press the shank to a roughly #6 size (6x32) and I ran it through a die (can't remember what size).

Lucky for me, the whole thing worked out fine.

 

[Randy]

I figgured on doing about the same thing with a 6X32 or an 8X32 but I can't seem to lacate a die that is 5X48. The owner of this gun doesn't want to re-drill and thread the tumbler to a larger size, like I suggested, either. Thanks for the ideas though.

 

You might try a Horologist. That's a clock Doc., or a Jeweler that does clock and watch repair. You might take the gun there to fit a screw, but call first, as Jeweler's become nervous when someone walks in with a shotgun, albeit, an antique.

 

[BLAHMAN]

You may want to check the web for machinist's dies, there may be an outfit out there that has what you need. It may even be metric.

 

[Tumblernotch]

Blue Ridge Machinery has several dies in 5-40 and 5-44. They have an on-line catalogue at http://blueridge.dreamscape.com or call toll free 1-800-872-6500. If you have a machine shop supply company near you, try them. They generally have taps, dies and drills you can't find anywhere else. Good luck.
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