SierraWhiskeyMC
08-25-2010, 11:25 PM
What is the correct length for the firing pin for an 1884 Trapdoor Springfield?
The original firing pin was broken or ground off (perhaps as a part of a de-mil process) so that it was recessed from the bolt face about 1/8" when it was fully inserted (all the way against the stop).
A few days ago, I asked a friend of mine who's an experienced TIG/MIG welder if he could weld up/build up the tip of the firing pin about 1/4"; he said he'd give it a shot. It's the steel firing pin, not the aluminum bronze alloy pin.
Looked kind of ugly when it came back, but after some very careful grinding and test-fitting, the firing pin when fully retracted against the retaining screw is flush to the bolt face. Is this correct, or should it be recessed by some amount?
I don't have any .45-70 cases yet; planning on ordering some in the next few days, along with some dies. I want to see what a few primer strikes look like with the repaired pin before I put powder and boolits in there.
The pin is quite hard and tough, so I feel pretty good that I won't have the kinds of problems that they had back in the 1880's with bent pins and accidental ignition when closing the trapdoor.
My Granddad bought this rifle when he was a kid in NYC around 1905-1910 for a quarter. That was actually a fair amount of money in those days.
I think that when he got it, the barrel was plugged with lead. I think he cut and re-crowned the barrel; it's now 22-1/2" long, and there is no evidence that it ever had a front sight. As far as I know, the original barrels were around 32", 26-5/8", and 22". The stock looks like a carbine stock (short forend) but it does not have the rail and ring.
The rear sight and mounting screws are missing. That's not a big deal though, as with the non-standard barrel length and the light loads I'll eventually be firing in it, the original sights would have been too far off anyway. Haven't quite decided on what to do about the rear sight yet, but I have some spring bronze and some brass, so I may just cobble up something that'll git 'er done.
I'm going to fab up a hooded blade front sight, most likely just clamp-on for starters, as I'm not too keen on drilling/tapping the barrel.
There was some rust, but that was stopped many years ago.
The stock is pretty beat up, but still has the cartouche "SWP 1889", the barrel has "VP" then what might be a feather or eagles' head, and another "P" after that.
The bore is really bright and shiny, with no evidence of leading or copper fouling. I'm surprised it's in such good shape after so many years of disuse.
It's going to be a lot of fun to shoot this rifle. It had been sitting on my Dad's rifle rack for as long as I can remember, just waiting for some TLC.
The original firing pin was broken or ground off (perhaps as a part of a de-mil process) so that it was recessed from the bolt face about 1/8" when it was fully inserted (all the way against the stop).
A few days ago, I asked a friend of mine who's an experienced TIG/MIG welder if he could weld up/build up the tip of the firing pin about 1/4"; he said he'd give it a shot. It's the steel firing pin, not the aluminum bronze alloy pin.
Looked kind of ugly when it came back, but after some very careful grinding and test-fitting, the firing pin when fully retracted against the retaining screw is flush to the bolt face. Is this correct, or should it be recessed by some amount?
I don't have any .45-70 cases yet; planning on ordering some in the next few days, along with some dies. I want to see what a few primer strikes look like with the repaired pin before I put powder and boolits in there.
The pin is quite hard and tough, so I feel pretty good that I won't have the kinds of problems that they had back in the 1880's with bent pins and accidental ignition when closing the trapdoor.
My Granddad bought this rifle when he was a kid in NYC around 1905-1910 for a quarter. That was actually a fair amount of money in those days.
I think that when he got it, the barrel was plugged with lead. I think he cut and re-crowned the barrel; it's now 22-1/2" long, and there is no evidence that it ever had a front sight. As far as I know, the original barrels were around 32", 26-5/8", and 22". The stock looks like a carbine stock (short forend) but it does not have the rail and ring.
The rear sight and mounting screws are missing. That's not a big deal though, as with the non-standard barrel length and the light loads I'll eventually be firing in it, the original sights would have been too far off anyway. Haven't quite decided on what to do about the rear sight yet, but I have some spring bronze and some brass, so I may just cobble up something that'll git 'er done.
I'm going to fab up a hooded blade front sight, most likely just clamp-on for starters, as I'm not too keen on drilling/tapping the barrel.
There was some rust, but that was stopped many years ago.
The stock is pretty beat up, but still has the cartouche "SWP 1889", the barrel has "VP" then what might be a feather or eagles' head, and another "P" after that.
The bore is really bright and shiny, with no evidence of leading or copper fouling. I'm surprised it's in such good shape after so many years of disuse.
It's going to be a lot of fun to shoot this rifle. It had been sitting on my Dad's rifle rack for as long as I can remember, just waiting for some TLC.