lifter number check
 

would appreciate if someone would see what is listed for 25486

Damascus 2, underlifter, capped pistol grip, 10 gauge, 30 inch barrels.

thanks alot on number check . were all lifters checkered? this one has original wood both pieces and no checking on either piece

We've seen many early hammer guns with no checkering. Many of these have been supported by a research letter of having been ordered without checkering.

thanks Dean did the solid head plungers have springs in them ? if so where do ya get them? thanks again

25486
 

This serial corresponds to "check hook" lifters that share frame length and firing pins with the top action guns.

Best, Austin

What is a solid head plunger

Solid Head Firing Pin
 

The initial 20 + thousand lifter guns had what we call "articulated " firing pins. The portion of the pin that struck the primer is off set by about 1/8 inch with respect to the portion that was struck by the hammer. The pin is about 3/32 diameter and is bushed by a screwed in brass bushing.
Around s/n 24000, the first top action gun appearred and the lifter frame was revised to the same dimensions. These lifters share the firing pin of the top action, that has the shape of a thumbtack or collar button. The firing pin is retained by a small flush screw in the frame. The large head of this firing pin seals in powder gas released by a pierced primer.

Best, Austin

this lifter I recieved has no springs in the firing pins or solid head plungers whatever you want to call them, to return the firing pin. All the info I have, does not show if a spring pushes it back and would like to know if it is supposed to have . thanks Dave

David,
Get a screwdriver that fites the slot around your firing pin screw it out and make you a new spring I did it so it dont take much smarts. go to shot gun shell realoading page 3 i believe and there is a heading called shotgun shell??? from me, harry has a nice picture and advice that will help. the pieces of your spring will b in there and you can get an idea from looking at them. ch yes the spring holds pin back few lines down theres a heading from mark landskov called lifter springs also helpful Theres a heading called liftersprings from mark landskov on this section its healpful

this gun has the new style pins, new in 1882 I made some springs from a ball point pin. I guess if they don't last long I'll try something else thanks for all your inputs Dave

Did all hammer guns have "return springs" on the firing pins ?

My ca. 1886 12 ga. hammer gun's firing pins don't have any springs (or they're both broken).

John, I have owned several guns made from about the 24,000 serial and later. These guns were the "solid head plunger"type and none had springs. The plungers were free floating.

that could very well be the answer I was looking for. There were no springs or pieces of springs, I just assumed they were needed to keep firing pins back. I was probably wrong. Thanks again Dave

In my experience, the guns that do not have springs, don't have room for them to be installed in the hole that receives the plunger. Tried it.

#38569 - 1884 - No springs
#59601 - 1880 - Springs

RST shells arrived today, rim of shells catch on firing pins when I try to close gun. Reinstalled springs and problem solved. I guess if the spring fits, wear it!