Rookie Mistake

[edgarspencer]

The kinetic energy is stored along the entire spring. From the bend, to the stirrup hook, they are tapered, so that the energy is progressive. (High Performance springs in competition cars are called Progressive Springs) Any minute defect (As John stated, called a stress riser) along the surface can cause a failure when the spring is compressed.
It is blasphemy to say this, but visually compare the lock springs of our beloved Parkers to the spring in a "Best Grade" English gun, and it will be immediately evident the attention paid (or not) to these little bits. 'Theirs' look they're polished to a fairthewell compared to 'ours'.

[Eldon Goddard]

Is this true even for a high grade parker hammer? Do you think an A grade hammer gun would have polished springs? I have heard this from someone before so I am holding out hope that at least the high grade parkers stood up to the English best.

[edgarspencer]

Eldon, my highest grade hammer is a grade 3, and it's springs aren't polished very much. Brad Bachelder needs to ring in on this as he is messing with these for our dedicated hammer gun guys on a regular basis.