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Post by artificer on Jul 10, 2019 8:52:28 GMT -7
I don't think there is any doubt most folks carried a Turnscrew in their shot pouch in the period to tighten/loosen the Cock (Top Jaw) Screw, if their lock only had a screw slot (no hole in the Cock Screw) and for the purposes of mounting/tightening/replacing the flint.
Now since the locks were made in Europe, but the Side Nails (Side Lock Screws) were made here in North America when the locks were mounted, I have always wondered if the gunsmith cut the screw slots in the Side Nails to either match the Cock Screw and/or if he may have also enlarged the slot in the Cock Screw so a single Turnscrew would fit both types of slots? The idea was when the owner wanted to dismount and clean/oil the inner parts of his lock, he therefore could use the same single Turnscrew?
The British Military used a "Y" shaped Musket Tool from at least as early as the FIW with two turnscrew blades on it and I always assumed this was because the slots on British Ordnance firearms had different slots in the Cock Screw and Side Nail Screws.
I have never been able to document if they cut or modified the Cock Screw slot to match the Side Nail slots on civilian arms, but it seems to me they did it, because one Turn Screw blade would then fit both screws?
Gus
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Jul 10, 2019 16:18:11 GMT -7
I don't think there is any doubt most folks carried a Turnscrew in their shot pouch in the period to tighten/loosen the Cock (Top Jaw) Screw, if their lock only had a screw slot (no hole in the Cock Screw) and for the purposes of mounting/tightening/replacing the flint. Now since the locks were made in Europe, but the Side Nails (Side Lock Screws) were made here in North America when the locks were mounted, I have always wondered if the gunsmith cut the screw slots in the Side Nails to either match the Cock Screw and/or if he may have also enlarged the slot in the Cock Screw so a single Turnscrew would fit both types of slots? The idea was when the owner wanted to dismount and clean/oil the inner parts of his lock, he therefore could use the same single Turnscrew? The British Military used a "Y" shaped Musket Tool from at least as early as the FIW with two turnscrew blades on it and I always assumed this was because the slots on British Ordnance firearms had different slots in the Cock Screw and Side Nail Screws. I have never been able to document if they cut or modified the Cock Screw slot to match the Side Nail slots on civilian arms, but it seems to me they did it, because one Turn Screw blade would then fit both screws? Gus  I know that on modern turn screws the tip is made to fit specific sized screws, eg the tip is not a sharp tip, it is flat on the tip & of a certain thickness. This is especially useful when dealing with very tight screw, as the tip fits the cut/groove in the screw closely & does not slip out. My gun turn screw is not like this, because (A) none of the screws are ever over tightened, & (B) I need the one turn screw to fit all the screws on both the gun & the pistol. This turn screw does fit all the screws on both locks; on the replica fusil, & on the original pistol, including the tang screws. I think that gunsmith turn screws would be the same as the turn screws in my workshop, the right tip to fit the right screw. But I do not want to be carrying more than one turn screw in my shot pouch or my knapsack.  Keith. |
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Post by artificer on Jul 11, 2019 6:48:12 GMT -7
Keith,
A couple/few questions if you don't mind?
Can you keep the Top Jaw Screws tightened with your Turnscrew so the flints and pads remain solid without damaging the screw slots and if so, have you filed the screw slot on your long gun Top Jaw Screw so it matches the taper on your original pistol? Also, will your Turnscrew work to tighten the Tumbler Screw snugly?
I have seen way, WAY too many screw slots buggered up on both repro and original Top Jaw and Side Plate Screws (as well as other lock screws) because the tapered blade Turnscrews did not fit the screw slots properly, this is why I ask.
Gus
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coot
City-dweller
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Post by coot on Jul 13, 2019 18:03:03 GMT -7
A gunsmith friend tapers both the jaw screw and lock mounting screws to fit a #2 flathead screwdriver. When asked why, he said that that is what so many will use whether it fits or not so he just goes ahead & makes his screws that way to begin with.  |
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Jul 13, 2019 19:08:31 GMT -7
Keith, A couple/few questions if you don't mind? Can you keep the Top Jaw Screws tightened with your Turnscrew so the flints and pads remain solid without damaging the screw slots and if so, have you filed the screw slot on your long gun Top Jaw Screw so it matches the taper on your original pistol? Also, will your Turnscrew work to tighten the Tumbler Screw snugly? I have seen way, WAY too many screw slots buggered up on both repro and original Top Jaw and Side Plate Screws (as well as other lock screws) because the tapered blade Turnscrews did not fit the screw slots properly, this is why I ask. Gus I have not changed any of the slots on any of the screws. Being careful not to slip & stab my hand, I make sure that I maintain enough pressure so that the turnscrew will not slip out of the screw slot. I do carry spare lock parts & spare screws. Keith.  |
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Post by artificer on Jul 17, 2019 19:42:45 GMT -7
Keith,
I salute your wisdom of carrying a mainspring vise and spare parts with you in the field. I have long thought at least some of the frontiersmen would have carried these items and especially the true Longhunters and/or possibly some who were surveyors and others who went on longer hunts from home than a few days. I can't document that, but it seems it would have been a good idea even during the period.
I'm never sure what part of the Australian Outback you film your video's, but from friends who live in Australia (and some who live pretty far from civilization), I get the impression you are much closer to leaving modern civilization and closer to being similar to here in the 18th century, than many, if not most of us here in America can do. Thus having spare parts with you is more akin to what early frontiersmen might have or should have done to keep their firearms operating.
Gus
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Jul 17, 2019 20:58:50 GMT -7
Keith, I salute your wisdom of carrying a mainspring vise and spare parts with you in the field. I have long thought at least some of the frontiersmen would have carried these items and especially the true Longhunters and/or possibly some who were surveyors and others who went on longer hunts from home than a few days. I can't document that, but it seems it would have been a good idea even during the period. I'm never sure what part of the Australian Outback you film your video's, but from friends who live in Australia (and some who live pretty far from civilization), I get the impression you are much closer to leaving modern civilization and closer to being similar to here in the 18th century, than many, if not most of us here in America can do. Thus having spare parts with you is more akin to what early frontiersmen might have or should have done to keep their firearms operating. Gus We have lived off grid for about 40 years, for at least 20 of those years we lived an 18th century lifestyle. We try to be as self-sufficient & self-reliant as possible. We are used to growing our own food & hunting & trapping for our meat. It is a lifestyle I enjoy & find very satisfying. Keith. |
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Post by Richard on Aug 27, 2019 21:16:05 GMT -7
The British Military used a "Y" shaped Musket Tool from at least as early as the FIW with two turnscrew blades on it and I always assumed this was because the slots on British Ordnance firearms had different slots in the Cock Screw and Side Nail Screws. Gus Thank you, Gus. I saw a picture of one of those, and I wasn't sure what it was. Now I know. Richard/Grumpa |
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