Hammers that are ground

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Has any one noticed this on any hammer guns they have, my D and B steel barrel guns have this even with a fishtail lever it will not open cocked, see the last photo I posted in photo fridays shows this anomaly Gary

[edgarspencer]

Gary, I have only two hammer guns; a grade 1 12, and a grade 2 16. The 12 has a fishtail top lever, and with NO notch ground in the right hammer, it opens when cocked. The 16 has a straight top lever and won't open when cocked (and obviously, no notch either)
In looking at your picture carefully, I can see that your lever is well to the right of center, so the stroke necessary to unlatch is going to put it further over than if the lever were more centered. My fishtail gun is very fresh, and has had obviously very little use, but the lever is right on the center when closed.
Everyone is always saying 'lever to the right, when they are selling their guns, so as to say 'not worn out' but I think hammer guns might want to be centered when closed. Maybe I'm wrong, and as I said, I only have 2 hammers guns (but am ready and willing to provide space for more. Notice I didn't say 'able' too? That's because I've set my goal of a grade 3 or better, and small framed. Not too lofty a goal, right?)

[Mark Landskov]

When I disassembled my 1886 toplever hammer 10 and my 1906 hammerless 10, I discovered that the design prevented the toplevers from traveling to the left of center. Due to the way the receiver and individual components were machined, there is no way that my two toplevers can go left. The hammer gun has not seen much use and it locks up very tight.

The hammerless gun has seen much use and it wiggles a bit. I 'fixed it' with a .001" stainless shim. The toplever stops at dead center, but the remaining locking bits are worn and kinda sloppy.

My two guns may not be the 'norm'. It is just what I observed when cleaning them. Gary, these comments may not apply to your situation. I was adding a twist to Edgar's :cheers:

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Yea, I thought at first it might be a 1 frame but it is a 2 frame but I will measure to be sure, would be interested if any one else has seen this. Gary

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

EDgar D grade with original case and lots of condition Gary sent more than two but file was to large

[edgarspencer]

Beautiful gun Gary. Is it a 10 or a 12?

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Edgar it is a 12 gauge