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What's wrong with my lock hammer?

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dogfood

45 Cal.
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Messages
503
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Location
OH 45385
Hi all,
Got this CVA Stalker recently. The hammer is tight when depressed, but when at half cock or full cock there's lateral play.
Despite the fact that there's a slot in the hammer screw for a standard screwdriver, none of itty-bitty screwdrivers i have can move it (and larger screwdrivers tips won't fit). Additionally, I've seen other CVA locks that have large, rounded flat-head screw heads securing the hammer.
My assumption is that it needs a replacement to the screw securing the hammer to the lock. Just checking here before I go ahead and buy something that might prove incorrect/unnecessary.
I appreciate your input.
Cheers,
dgfd
PXL_20210618_210610082.jpg
 
Looks like the head of the hammer screw has been twisted off with the shaft remaining in the tumbler.
and then slotted! that screw does absolutely nothing but fill a hole. soak it with a penetrating oil and see if you can remove it. someone on ebay will have a replacement . for 4 times what it should cost!
 
LCS sells Traditions/Ardesa parts (Ardesa made that CVA). Bet a Traditions screw will fit perfectly assuming you can get the broken/modified screw out.
 
Thanks, gents. It's much appreciated. I'll see what I can sort out with'er and post an update.
 
Update:
After letting it soak in WD40 a while, I was having no luck with any of my screwdrivers. Fortunately, there was just enough of the screw protruding from the hammer that with a set of very small needle noe pliers compliments of Mrs. Dogfood (originally for jewelry, i think), I managed to unscrew it that way. Looks like it's the original hammer screw and somehow its head got shorn off...how that could have happened, I've no idea.
Next step is to figure out what metricated thread size it is and source a replacement. Might be able to pick one up at the local Lowe's or Rural King for considerably less than an NOS OEM part.
Thanks for the good ideas, gents.
 
I would bite the bullet and find a original screw made for that purpose, I believe in the long end run you would be better off.
 
I would bite the bullet and find a original screw made for that purpose, I believe in the long end run you would be better off.
And it will look better. I’ve seen more than a few rifles with that screw replaced by a modern zinc plated or even (shudder) a stainless Phillips head screw!! True story!
 
Get an original replacement screw, or modify one to fit. I have worked on a number of those locks over the years, and have seen on most that the hole through the lock plate for the hammer shaft is quite roomy (to say the least), and that allows quite a bit of wobble to the hammer as pressure from the main spring changes when they are cocked. I fix the problem by making a shim out of a short piece of .30 cal cartridge neck. (Yes, Martha, there is enough space for that.) It usually works to steady the hammer fall, and remove any wobble. (Not as important with a percussion, but definately helps a flintlock) Sometimes the best fix is a drop-in quality lock; save a lot of BS.
 
It also looks like the cock can be pressed on to the tumbler shaft a little more. Screw pressure alone will not do that. I suggest taking it apart first and cleaning the shaft well. You will need to remove the mainspring then support the lock plate across the jaws of a vice with the tumbler in between the jaws. Then use a punch to drive the tumbler out of the cock. When reassembling push the cock onto the tumbler shaft and then put the lock in the jaws of the vice. The tumbler flat against one jaw and the cock flat against the other. Now use the vice to press the cock onto the tumbler shaft. The screw is used merely to secure the cock in place and prevent it from loosening up on the shaft.
 
well i have come to the conclusion that i need to be in a nursing home. i gauged the screw on my CVA and it struck me the reason the broken screw was slotted and kept in the axel was just so the guy that broke it would have it for future reference.
by the way its 48 pitch and .115 diameter. why cva used a tiny thing like that.
 
Probably a metric size. Either 2.5 or 3mm. 3mm is .118" The hardware store will have a selection to get by until you can locate the correct screw.
 
A quick call to Deer Creek solved it. They had the correct large lock hammer screw for a very reasonable $2.00
 

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