Coil Mainsprings in a T/C Patriot Pistol

[RonRC]

I've been scooting around the net to see if coil springs were ever used for a mainspring in original, traditional muzzleloaders. Or did Thompson Center begin their use in guns like the Patriot for convenience and cost factors in modern times?

The coil spring has been around since the 15th Century and was used for door locks. Other sources say that it wasn't until 1763 that the coil spring was invented by R. Tradwell. The first steel coil spring was made in 1857.

But were coil springs ever used in muzzleloaders in the 18th or 19th Centuries?
Ron

 

[don hepler]

I think TC put coil springs in for reliability. Flat springs had a tendency to break, even in early modern firearms, like Colts. However, it takes a lot to get a well made flat spring to fail. From a traditional aspect, I like the flat spring, but on the TC's they are out of sight, so I can live with that.

 

[RonRC]

Thank you, Hadden West!
That is just the information I was looking for.

Ron