Gents:
I'm reading an old Guns and Ammo annual from the early 1970s and I noticed a pic of some Jones under lever, exposed hammer double rifles. One caption stated the rifle a rebounding hammer that was converted from a non rebounding hammer.

My question for those of you (MAC) that have forgot more about doubles than I will ever know is this: what is the procedure for such a conversion? Is it cost effective to do so? My reasoning is I have many non rebounding doubles that are a pain as I often forget to cock back to half after firing (as most of my hammer doubles are of the rebounding variety).

What say you?
Thanks for your time in responding.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Gents:
I'm reading an old Guns and Ammo annual from the early 1970s and I noticed a pic of some Jones under lever, exposed hammer double rifles. One caption stated the rifle a rebounding hammer that was converted from a non rebounding hammer.

My question for those of you (MAC) that have forgot more about doubles than I will ever know is this: what is the procedure for such a conversion? Is it cost effective to do so? My reasoning is I have many non rebounding doubles that are a pain as I often forget to cock back to half after firing (as most of my hammer doubles are of the rebounding variety).

What say you?
Thanks for your time in responding.
Cal

There are many different rebounding hammer guns and rifles. Most are fitted with a small leaf spring the is contacted by the inside tumbler of the hammer that is contacted just before the hammer hits the striker and is weak enough so as not to retard the hammer hitting the striker and strong enough to rebound the hammer away from the external striker. This can be done by almost any skilled double rifle smith. The cost is depended on the complexity of the side locks room for the extra parts.

I have four exposed hammer doubles and all are side-lock with rebounding hammers. I suppose I could take the locks off them and take some close-up pictures but I have zero idea how to post the pictures on the internet. Maybe I can get my son to post them for me or maybe take the camera stick to Walgreens and print them and mail them to you.

...................................................................

This is my Alex Henry 577 which has had this conversion done.

Cal,
if you look at the picture Ben posted of his lock you can see the shelf that the short leg of the original spring rested upon just behind the sear spring. To convert to rebounding locks new main springs and tumbler are required. A very big job and not one that many are qualified to do. Old hat for British smiths in the 1870's but labor is a good deal more costly today.

Thank you MAC, Ben and skb. As always the AR membership is there when needed.
Cal

Never ceases to amaze me looking at locks. The ingenuity and workmanship.