Tang locking screw on high grade guns
 

I have seen it on the Prototype A-1 and some custom guns, but has anyone seen a small lock screw used for the tang screw on “regular” production high grade Parkers? The one under the top lever.

I went through TPS and there are not many views of the top of guns with lever open.

Here is one example, although it’s not exactly a regular production high grade Parker!


http://www.icollector.com/EXTRAORDIN...TGUN_i15605079

Yup, that is what I am talking about. Wondering if maybe it was more common that I think and just not seen due to top lever being in the way.

I saw one on a AAHE competition gun that Steve Barnett had at Addieville three years ago.





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Well, i would not call any high grade Parker “regular production”, even though I did refer to it as that. I more meant Factory production as in not a prototype or after-the-fact custom. Each and every one of these guns is unique. I just wanted to make sure that this feature was in fact used on some guns.

Brian, the example that Channing provided is referred to as a French lock by toolmakers and machinist. After looking at the picture closely I believe the lock screw was added later to correct a customer complaint of a loose tang screw. The lock screw head does not match the engraving on the Tang screw head and the lock screw head does not appear to be flush with the tang. The serial number is not in a range that an engineering change would be expected to take place.

The engraving on the screw may not match, but the ring in the engraving around the locking screw hole looks legitimate.

I figured that's what you were after Brian. I thought I had saved pictures of another example. If I can find the pics I will post them.

This link shows the picture a little better and confirms what Chris wrote regarding the engraving.

http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/...CFDDF5F2F81580

That looks original to me. Generally the minor screws on the action will not be engraved the same as the major ones. And the surrounding engraving does look right.

In addition to the ring engraved around the locking screw, the tang screw engraving around the concave 'pocket', for the lock screw, has no signs of a clipped edge.

Some lock screws line up with the larger screw. Some are installed at a 90 degree angle. Which would be considered correct by a classic gunmaker like Purdey or Boss?

I think that in order to determine the correct alignment of the tang screw lock screw one has only to look at the lock screw’s alignment for the screw on the sides of the frame.


The lock screws I’ve seen on classic European guns share slot alignment with the action screw they lock.


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Yes Dean, i would agree with that from a standpoint of logic. Every Parker was fitted with a lock screw on the hammers. And they are positoned at 90 degree angles from each other. And the very few examples I have seen on a lock on the tang screw, it is in the same fashion.
I would not expect Parker to deviate from the norm in a different area of the gun.

I do however think it would look better if both were in line with eachother.

What nobody likes the random untimed lock screws on John Browning's A5? :) I give it a pass since its not a double but I have to say it drives me a little crazy when most gun screws aren't properly timed. Might be a little OCD but I even try to time outlet cover screws in the house!

You're not alone Channing - I do exactly the same thing... throughout the house.





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[QUOTE=Dean Romig;260699]You're not alone Channing - I do exactly the same thing... throughout the house . Every one does this!

Lock screws aligned with the larger screw are not the easiest task to make perfect. I remember a Becker Fox pictured in the DGJ that I used as an example for my gunsmith, Mr. Vicknair, that I would not find acceptable. He came through with flying colors and made the screws not only perfectly sized and aligned, but almost invisible.