Single trigger to double trigger conversion.

[B. Dudley]

This thread is a quick documentation of a VH that I have in the shop. The gun was fitted with some sort of SST previously (a miller type design) and the customer wanted it converted back to standard double triggers.

The gun itself was in great original condition. about 80% case color. The original trigger plate was modified to fit the SST and was poorly case colored and it stuck out like a sore thumb on the gun.

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A replacement trigger plate had to be fitted to the frame. It had to be worked down on the sides and at the front of the dolls head for proper fit to the frame. New screws were also made and fitted. I polished the plate out just as much as I had to for proper fit. A careful task since a file or piece of paper could not touch the original finish on the frame. I left some of the original pitting on the bottom of the plate.

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Then the replacement plate had to have its engraving touched up and be re-color case hardened. This was done by Turnbull. Here are photos of the freshly case colored plate on the frame. As well as some photos of the sides of the frame to show percentage of original color remaining on the frame.

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Then, I had to "age" back the new case colors to try and make the replacement trigger plate look like it belonged with the original frame. Below are the results.

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There was of course a lot of internal work in replacing parts to complete the DT conversion, but above is the hard part of doing the job and doing the gun justice by making it look like a higher condition original gun when all is said and done.

[Bindlestiff]

What about the wood? I have been told that the installation of single triggers cause a lot of wood to be removed and to go back left the stock weak. Is that true?

[King Cobb]

So that dark patina is case color? I have a GH that is dark like that. I was thinking of scrubbing on it so that the engraving would be easier to see. Guess not.

[B. Dudley]

Originally Posted by Robin Lewis

What about the wood? I have been told that the installation of single triggers cause a lot of wood to be removed and to go back left the stock weak. Is that true?

Yes, I have to rebuild the stock head in order to put in a safety jacket assembly. That is the last of the work I have to do on this gun.

[Bill Murphy]

Brian, I've never seen that trigger before. Have you figured out whose trigger it is?

[B. Dudley]

Bill,
The actual design of it is a Miller. But it is not one of their triggers. I have seen something very similar to it in some Spanish guns before. Likely some low end aftermarket piece of something.

[Autumn Daze]

I have done this conversion. I converted a Parker 2 screw single trigger gun to double triggers. Along with replacing the floor plate the sears need to be replaced with double trigger sears. All in all not too difficult if you have the parts.

Robin...The wrist of the stock is indeed hollowed out for the Parker single trigger. We filled the void with a piece of inletted walnut to strengthen the wrist after the conversion.

[Eldon Goddard]

Brian was the replacement floor plate casehardened and if so did you have to anneal it before fileing?

[B. Dudley]

It was case hardened. But it was able to be worked without too much trouble. This particular one did not have to be annealed to file on it. Maybe the case was worn enough?

[Mark Beasland]

Very nice!