Help: Hemenway's Firing Pin
 

Could this broken pin base be drilled and a replacement shaft be pressed in or perhaps threaded for a workable repair? I want to the use the existing base to maintain the original integrity of the gun if possible. The tap hole could go .087 deep and not go through the side relief cut. Your recommendations are appreciated.
Thank you, Bruce

You are close to Steve Bertram in Boulder. Likely an easy repair Bruce.
http://www.bertramandco.com/
303-938-1996

and more Thorburn pheasants here :)
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20517878

Looks like it could be done

But strikers were not meant to last forever. Someone going to a remote area to hunt would take spares and have no issue replacing a damaged one with a new one.

When a striker failed on one of my hammer guns I had a machinist make two pair, so that if the new one only last 125 years like the last set I won't have to worry abpout it.

Bruce:
Your plan is very workable. I've done many this way. A lot held in by high-temp solder. They all hold. Maybe for 125 years.

Bruce, I would think that you could just turn a couple up out of some S-7 alloy and they would last just about forever.

looks like the tip of the old one could be built up by good tig welder and reshaped...just my thoughts...charlie

Thanks guys for the ideas. I will locate a good machinist to turn two brand new ones on a lathe. It's not brain surgery after all. "I'll Git 'er Done".

if you do - get two sets - that way you will never need them :cheers:

Bruce:
Please remember... anything you have turned up will necessarily "look new" on an old gun. But it's your gun.

Still, there is a difference between "gitten 'er done," and getting it done right.

Current Status:
 

As of yet I've had no luck in finding a gunsmith or machinist willing to rebuild the existing striker or manufacture a replacement.
I have located a source for replacement Parker strikers at a very reasonable price. Since I currently have a Parker hammer gun I compared the two side by side. The the diameter of the Parker striker base is just a bit wider and the overall length is a little long. The length of the bases look identical. The pin itself would have to be shortened and the base diameter would have to be reduced a touch. The relieved area on the side for the set screw is much smaller on the Parker though that is only a matter of filing out some more material. If the hardened metal is too difficult to file perhaps a stone would be more effective. It seems to me that modifying a Parker striker would be a cost effective alternative to starting from scratch and be much stronger than patchwork.
John Campbell, I like your idea but the depth available for the tap hole seems very shallow.
I'm all ears if anyone here could provide any ideas or assistance. :coffee:

if you have a drill press - or can firmly mount a drill - get the part straight in the chuck and remove material with a fine file, the polish with paper - not too much pressure on a small part - you may cant it in the chuck. go very slowly and measure often.

you may need to anneal it and then retemper -

Rick, Excellent idea. Thank you!

Bruce:
In an effort to preserve a fine English gun, I've sent you a PM. Hopefully, it will be well received.

Resolution!
 

A gracious fellow member has offered to rebuild my broken firing pin. My thanks to everyone's contributions. This forum restores my faith in humanity. Good people come here. :cheers: