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Repairable locks?

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wcubed

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These are from a B. Woodward and Sons SxS percussion shotgun.

Both sides have broken bridles, and one side is missing the main spring and swivel.

I have zero experience with such things. Are parts available for this? How would one go about getting these working again?

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It's not likely you would find ready made parts that would fit.

I know a professional muzzleloader gunsmith that could make parts for it but he charges $100 per hour. The main spring would probably take 2+ hour's work. I have no idea how long it would take him to make the bridles. He does the work by hand like the original locks were made. You may be looking at something around $1,000 to get those locks working again and done right.
 
Before someone mentions it, IMO the breaks in the two bridles are in highly stressed areas. Even a high temperature silver solder won't be strong enough to prevent the parts from breaking again if the lock is used.
It might be possible to TIG weld the pieces back together but due to their small size it would be difficult at best. Also, after they were welded a great deal of time would be needed to remove the excess weld material and return them to their original shape.

The new spring is do-able for someone who has made similar springs and having the good spring to use as a model would give the locksmith something to base the new spring on. Likewise, the existing stirrup would be used as a model to build the new one.

The bottom line is, the expense of having these locks repaired would be very high and I don't think there is a commercial lock that could be modified to work.

Whatever gun these locks are from should become a wall hanger to be handled, enjoyed and appreciated for what it is. I'm afraid its working days are done.
 
I’d cut off the bolt hole portion of the bridle, weld or braze a block of steel to the bridle, drill it, then shape it. $75. For the mainspring replacement you’re looking at another $75 if I was doing it. Even if I found a replacement original spring that was close it would need fitting and fiddling.
 
I’d cut off the bolt hole portion of the bridle, weld or braze a block of steel to the bridle, drill it, then shape it. $75. For the mainspring replacement you’re looking at another $75 if I was doing it. Even if I found a replacement original spring that was close it would need fitting and fiddling.

I'd actually pay that kind of a price to have it fixed. The rest of the gun is in nice shape.
 
Do you want a good gun that you're going to work pretty hard, OR do you want to get it working again, and maybe hunt with it a couple or three times a year?
IF it's the latter, why can't you find some "workshop" near you that's doing something with sand-casting, and have them cast you some rough replacements for the bridals, out of bronze? We have a "farm museum" near me and they do sand casting once a year as a demonstration.

True they would wear out quickly on a gun that's used on a regular basis, but not if you shot it only a few times a year. Heck have them make three pairs, and when they are finished with the holes and polishing, you'll have a pair of spares for both sides to go with the third pair installed in the locks??

LD
 
Do you want a good gun that you're going to work pretty hard, OR do you want to get it working again, and maybe hunt with it a couple or three times a year?

LD

These are good points. Personally, I don't like the idea of "fixing" it halfway even though I probably wouldn't shoot it more than a "few times a year". I'd rather "one and done" it, so it has value for the next owner someday, who ever that may be.
 
Looks like you got Rich offering to do it for what I would consider a cheap price. I would not hesitate to have Rich make this repair for me. If it were me, I would going to the post office this morning to mail them off.

Fleener
 
Whatever gun these locks are from should become a wall hanger to be handled, enjoyed and appreciated for what it is. I'm afraid its working days are done.

I am wondering what broke these bridals. I have seen broken bridals with loose bearing surfaces, making things sloppy and putting undo stress on internal parts. Maybe a new lock plate or bushing in the bearing surface, 2 cents.
 
That question, what broke them, is the right question! Probably a combination of factors. Probably through hardened by case hardening too long and not tempered, plus as yet to be determined other causes. Very unusual.
 
Looks like you got Rich offering to do it for what I would consider a cheap price. I would not hesitate to have Rich make this repair for me. If it were me, I would going to the post office this morning to mail them off.

Fleener

Already contacted. Just waiting to hear back if he thinks he can do it, and it will be mailed out along with postage paid return box. Perhaps he will see something additional that I don't, since I have no experience with this type of thing.
 
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