Broken Hammer Screw

[OH Osthaus]

just asking here - my hammer gun experience is not with Parkers, but I've cleaned and or tuned a few flintlocks, and a couple old English locks

but - if the other half of the screw head breaks off, wouldn't the hammer be likely to fall off and risk being lost? on my hammer guns the hammer fits the square tumbler that is center tapped for the hammer screw, the hammer comes off fairly easy without the screw.

without the screw head the removal options would seem to be a very small easyout or drill out the screw and retap.

like I said, just asking

[Twice Shooter]

You should replace the screw now. If the other half of the screw head breaks off you may loose the hammer. Also, if it breaks off and you have to drill the broken screw to use an easy out and it is a very difficult task. The top of the broken screw will probably be broken at an angel and drilling something at an angel with a small drill is next to impossible. The drill will run to the low side and mess up the threads inside the tumbler. Since you have to replace it anyway, why wait until its a big problen. Been there, done that, and don't like it. Do it while its a small problem and easy to deal with. Cheers, Tom