Bruce, Just send me the gun Ill figure it out then Ill send it back it may take me awhile !

The wrench jaws are too wide to fit the plunger retaining nuts. These are 3/8”, the plunger nuts are 1/4”.

Bruce

Are there square shoulders on the ends of the wood cleaning rods that are approximately 3/8" across ? If so , it could be to tighten or loosen the cleaning rod connections---just a guess .

Allan

I think Allen has it if those are square ends on the cleaning rod.

It does not appear to be a very delicate tool and is such a beefy looking wrench. It also appears to have been used a good bit showing signs of wear. It also has a broad side that would allow it to reach down in a recessed area. Very strange.

If not as part tool assembly as other mentioned and on outward appearance on gun it is not clear if it was used directly on gun.

Can't tell clearly but there does appear to be a metal butt plate. Could there be something on the stock under that buttplate that would have a nut that size needing servicing. Or a nut that size somewhere hidden behind the sideplates of action. That maybe something unique to that gun but I put it at long odds that a reason for wrench. It also look worn enough and solid enough that it was used for something common.

I can see why this is a stumper for someone even with Bruce's vast experience because its reason for existence just doesn't jump out. The only other thought it, was it was remnant wrench that fit something in tool set that needed that wrench but then over the years changed it something smaller and did not need wrench, but just left it as part of the set. There maybe no easy reason for it or there maybe some unique trick for its use that is eluding.

What size are the square handles on the screw drivers? Could it be used to turn those?

Wasn't the Budd of gun implement fame named Charles W. Budd?

Bruce,
The gun in question has back action locks. I suspect that this is a mainspring cramp. When the locks are dismounted and the hammers are cocked the cramp is placed on the mainspring, then the sear is released and the hammers are let down, but the spring is still compressed and the spring can be removed from the lock for a complete cleaning. When the cleaning is done the process is reversed and the lock reassembled and is ready to go back into action.
But I could be wrong, would need the locks and the tool in hand to prove the point...
Bob

If that were the case Bob, wouldn’t there be two of these spring retainers, one for each lock?... or maybe just one is sufficient if removing and disassembling one lock at a time....






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Since the wrench is fitted near the wad cutter I am curious if the shaft on the wad cutter is the same size as the wrench. Possibly for rotating the cutter between strikes with a hammer/mallet?
-Brett