Removing hammers

[keavin nelson]

In disassembling my latest and first hammer gun, while it is in great shape, after removing sidelocks and thoroughly cleaning the 130 years of sludge out of the lock, attempted to remove the hammer. While the screw came out relatively easily, the hammer won't budge. I have soaked with Kroil overnight, tried both heat and cold, with hardwood wedges (so we don't mare the lock plate) tapped under the hammer to lift it to no avail. Any secret here for this.

Would appreciate any advice. While not critical to remove unless I would desire to refinish, would like a solution. :)

[Dean Romig]

I wish somebody made a miniature version of a harmonic balancer puller.

I use two screwdrivers under opposite sides of the hammer, with the square axle in between them. The axle is tapered and the square hole in the hammers is tapered so once it is broken the least bit free it should come off with relative ease.






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[Richard Flanders]

I bought a Remington hammer gun that had pretty rusted on hammers. I somehow - can't remember how though - figured out a way to support the hammer and tap the shaft out using a leather hammer and a hardwood dowel so as not to mar anything. I should have left one of them alone as it's been loose ever since and the screw backs out as you shoot clays with it and I've not come up with a way to remedy this issue.

[Rick Losey]

after a soak- i set the stripped lock face up on a vice with the jaws set just far enough apart for the tumbler to fit between them- make sure the jaws are close so you don't warp the lock

and put a rag in the vice under the tumbler to catch it

with a punch big to not fit into the threads so they don't get damaged and give it a few taps

[Richard Flanders]

I think that's what I did also Rick. I knew it was something like that; just couldn't remember what. I know it worked v slick and didn't damage anything.

[keavin nelson]

Ok, we will try Dean's first, then the other. Thanks for the input!

[Brian Dudley]

Yeah, a stuck hammer requires full disassembly of the lock so that the tumbler can be driven out of the hammer. Resist the urge to pry on it.

[Dean Romig]

It hasn’t been my experience that the lock needs to be completely disassembled. That may be inviting disaster in that springs can be easily broken if compressed improperly.
I’ve been successful in removing some pretty stuck hammers with my method.





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[keavin nelson]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;257143]It hasn’t been my experience that the lock needs to be completely disassembled. That may be inviting disaster in that springs can be easily broken if compressed improperly.
I’ve been successful in removing some pretty stuck hammers with my method.


I was thinking of making a set of brass wedges to use on this. Just need the brass square stock for it. Having experienced a perfectly fine spring breaking upon complete release, not interested in that again.

Thanks

[Rick Losey]

i have spring vises from my flintlock days, they are designed to compress and hold V springs

Davis makes a good one

http://www.redaviscompany.com/0320.html

see how to use one here at just before the 5 minute mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4VhHeUxgo

[keavin nelson]

As a follow-up I had the chance to visit Dixie Gun Works in Union City, Tenn. while searching for ducks (notice I didn't say hunting) - anyway they have quite a few very useful offerings in the guntool category, including a hammer puller - see pictures. And yes, that is Parker top lever spring you see, complete with pin as well as an assortment of grip caps.

[CraigThompson]

As a follow-up I had the chance to visit Dixie Gun Works in Union City, Tenn. while searching for ducks (notice I didn't say hunting) - anyway they have quite a few very useful offerings in the guntool category, including a hammer puller - see pictures. And yes, that is Parker top lever spring you see, complete with pin as well as an assortment of grip caps.

I assume the one in the bottom right is the puller and the one above would be used to possibly press it back on ? Anyway if immcorrect what did DGW stick you for the pair ?

[keavin nelson]

Craig, I don't recall exactly, as there were other "things" in my purchases, they have an on-line catalog you can check. Somewhere around $40 @ I think.

[Brian Dudley]

Obviously these tools are geared towards common oparations and parts with blank powder firearms.
Are you able to confirm if any of these actually work well on your Parkers?

I would think that maybe the hammer puller may work, and the spring tools maybe for a hammer spring only.

[keavin nelson]

Brian,
the hammer puller worked nicely. Popped the hammer I tried it on right off. I did put pieces of paper under the jaws, as a precaution against marring, no problem.

The spring tools, the one is obviously intended for the long springs found in various locks. The thumb screw spring press needs modified to work on the top lever spring, but I think it will, by shortening the longer leg. You can reverse the screw position in this, as it is drilled/tapped on both ends.

[CraigThompson]

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/3859/category_id/354/category_chain/350,351,354/product_name/MT0511+Hammer+Pull https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/3855/category_id/354/category_chain/350,351,354/product_name/MT0411+Hammer+Press https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/3857/category_id/354/category_chain/350,351,354/product_name/MT0506+Lafayette+Mainspring+Vise https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/page/product/product_id/3836/category_id/354/category_chain/350,351,354/product_name/MT0102+Mainspring+Vise

[John Dallas]

Would it make sense for the PGCA to maintain a collection of specialty tools which could be rented, with $$ going to PGCA?

[keavin nelson]

Further to this, had need for both spring tools this week and they both worked well, see below: