Mystery Gun Part?

Hi All,

This was in the drawer of an old chest full of tools bought lately and just got around to. I think that it is gun related so hopefully someone can enlighten me?

Cheers Martin

Looks like a musket spring clamp to me.

regards

Ah! That throws up a lot of stuff! What exactly doe sit do please?

Martin

Wild guess: **LINK**

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Brazier

MichaelG.

My guess would be that it's a leaf or vee spring compressor, for use while slipping a tumbler, sear or suchlike into position during assembly of gun-locks.

+1

Older guns contain powerful v-shaped leaf springs, not coils, and the spring pressure has to be released before the lock can be worked on. One way was to squeeze the V together with a clamp, either to remove and replace the spring entirely, or to work on the unpressured mechanism with the spring clamped down in place. Spring clamps are available for repairing spring powered clocks - same purpose, different shape. Car engines too, but constructed to clamp coil springs.

Dave

… in light of oldiron’s response, I thought the ‘what?’ was a given

**LINK**

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/new-veteran-arms-charleville-musket-frizzen-spring-questions.155641/

My own oguess was limited to the potential maker of Martin’s object.

MichaelG.

.

Michael,

Thanks for the useful link which seems to make it 19th Century which is nice!

I had no idea that muskets contained such powerful springs!

Cheers, Martin

Hi Martin! Looks lovely whatever it is!
is it for sale?
all the best

Darren

As a vintage gun owner I have one of these, it's a mainspring clamp for all types of guns not just muskets and they still make them today. If you Google gun mainspring clamp or vise you will see lots of different variations

Thank you all, that has added to my knowledge.

I have one very like that.

I keep it attached to a Baker rifle lock that was specially designed not to need one.

I have a strange sense of humor

Darren,
PM sent

Martin