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01-13-2012, 05:05 PM | #3 | ||||||
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Back the lockplate screw out a turn, or two, and tap on the head with the end of a plastic screwdriver handle (for example). This will push the right lockplate out a wee bit. Repeat this process until the lockplates are freed up from the wood. My 1886 toplever was real stiff with dried up oil and crud. I cleaned all the action locking components scrupulously and greased them with Gunslick gun grease. Over the lifetime of a gun, a drop of oil here and there accumulates and eventually gums up and also gets into the wood. Good luck!
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GMC(SW)-USN, Retired 'Earnest Will' 'Desert Shield' 'Desert Storm' 'Southern Watch' |
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01-13-2012, 08:21 PM | #4 | ||||||
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Oskar: Congrats on the hammer gun. Be careful with the screws. USE ONLY HOLLOW GROUND TIPS on your driver handle. Take the time to clean out the slots. A drop of penetrating oil and a bunch of toothpicks will eventually clean out the crud. Take your time. Really tough to find original replacement screws. Even if it takes a few hours to ensure you don't bugger the screw head, that's a blip in time considering those screws have likely been in place for 120+ years. Ensure that the tip you use completely fills the screw head slot. Ensure the plate has been tapped out evenly and is clear of the wood before lifting it away. Resist any temptation to pry anything. You don't want to splinter or chip the wood. Just some cautionary words so you don't annoy yourself. Enjoy the clean up campaign. It's not a race. Good luck.
Cheers, Jack
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Hunt ethically. Eat heartily. |
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Jack Cronkhite For Your Post: |
01-13-2012, 10:08 PM | #5 | ||||||
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Thanks guys. I have a set of the Brownells thin bits. Been in the shop starting the cleanup process.
Got the locks off and they're soaking in mineral spirits overnight. They don't look especially cruddy but there is some rust on the lock parts. We'll see how they look in the AM. Top lever spring is evidently broken or gunked up as it does not return to center when released unless I manually move the lever left. Might take the stock off tomorrow for a better look. I'm familiar with working on Foxes but this is unexplored country for me. Any words of caution on this? Mike |
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01-13-2012, 10:35 PM | #6 | ||||||
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Like Jack said, take your time. Do you have a mainspring vise? They are handy for easy disassembly of the locks. Vise Grips can be used, but refrain from compressing the spring more than you need to. Knock on wood....I have never broken a 'V' type spring on any of my antiques! CSMC has a few replacement springs for toplevers if you end up needing one.
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GMC(SW)-USN, Retired 'Earnest Will' 'Desert Shield' 'Desert Storm' 'Southern Watch' |
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The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Mark Landskov For Your Post: |
01-19-2012, 07:32 PM | #7 | ||||||
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Real nice surviving case colors Mark.
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The Following User Says Thank You to Frank Cronin For Your Post: |
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