Top Lever does not lock to the right. Why?

[allen newell]

I recently picked up a 1902 GHE 12 ga. The barrels on this double are Winchester Reproduction Q1 & Q2. Don't know who did the fitting or any of the restoration incl case colors.

When the gun is broken open, the top lever should lock to the right but it doesn't lock at all. The lever returns to the center position. To close the gun, I have to push the lever again to the right, bring the barrels down on the frame and release the lever. I hope I've described this issue clearly.

Any ideas on why the top level is not locking?

I plan to take it to Dan Cullity who lives close by but thought some of you Parker gurus who are far more knowledgeable than yours truly might have some insights. Thanks in advance to all.

A

[Justin Julian]

The top lever is locked to the right when opened by a pin that extends up from the bottom of the frame. The pin is powered by a small coil spring. It is likely that the gun was disassembled at some point and the spring was lost or otherwise not reinstalled.

[allen newell]

After reading page 138 of The Parker Story, I believe this model GHE (1902) had a leaf spring. The good book says the coil springs were a later introduction circa 1918 or so. Thanks Julian, you put your finger on the problem. I'll have Dan Cullity fix it or send it out to Brad.

[Chuck Bishop]

No, the trip spring is a coil. It could just be that the trip is stuck in the down position due to dried grease or dirt. You need to study how Parkers work. The spring you are referring to sounds like the top lever spring. Two altogether different springs.

[allen newell]

Thanks Chuck, I stand corrected. Either way, someone else is going to take this apart and fix it. I just want to shoot the dam gun on skeet!

[Charles Matthews]

Chuck is correct. I just had the top lever spring (leaf) replaced in my 1905. Your top leaver spring sounds ok based on your description of the problem.

[allen newell]

Charles, who did the work for you?

[Charles Matthews]

Allen,
I had Jim Kelly, Darlington Gun Works, replace my top lever spring and time some screws while it was there. Like I said, I think your top lever spring is ok if it displays any tension on it. Mine had zero tension....it had broken. Sounds like it's your trip spring pin.
Some friendly advise.......Jim has been great to me over the years, but he stays very backed up on his work.

Charles

[allen newell]

Thanks Charles. Dan Cullity lives and operates his biz from his home in Barnstable about 8 miles from me. Dan's work is exceptional. He'll take care of this problem and his turn around is very good. His son Ryan will probably do the work.

[Charles Matthews]

Good luck to you, Allen.

[allen newell]

Took this GHE to the range today and shot two rounds of skeet. Suddenly the lever locks to the right when pushed to the right! Go figure. I'm still taking it to Cullity tomorrow for his evaluation. May have him strip it and clean all internals. Suspect there is some gunk in there that may have been causing it to not lock in. Ejectors function but are not particularly strong as other ejector Parkers I have. Will have him look at them as well. Other than that, with the Q1 and Q2 reproduction barrels it shoots fine.

[charlie cleveland]

parkers are seldom sick so good luck on going to the doctor...charlie

[Mike McClure]

I seem to have the same problem with the lever wanting to stay in the center position. There is a small spring on top of the trigger guard when I took it apart, is that the one? The item labeled "trip pin" in the schematic came out without my seeing which way it was installed. Maybe someone can direct me to a drawing or explain which way it goes back in.
This is a 1885 hammer type.

Thanks

[Mike McClure]

OK figured that one out myself. I think the problem was lack of proper lubrication and I can fix that one when I reassemble it.

Thanks

[Brian Dudley]

Hammer guns use the same style of trip as the hammerless guns, but the spring setup for it is a little different. Trips not working correctly in hammer guns is a lot more common than hammerless guns since the style of spring is much more prone to wearing out or gunking up solid.

[Mike McClure]

You are correct. The little springy thing was all gunked up and the pin was rusty and needed lube.