How to Make New Leaf Springs | British Side-by-Side Shotguns | MidwayUSA

Published on March 17, 2014
Duration: 16:13

This video demonstrates the intricate process of fabricating new leaf springs for British side-by-side shotguns when original parts are unavailable. Gunsmith Jack Rowe, guided by Larry Potterfield, details heating, bending, shaping, hardening, and tempering spring steel to create functional replacement springs for components like top levers, hammers, and sears. The process emphasizes precision filing and heat treatment to achieve the correct tension and durability.

Quick Summary

Replacement leaf springs for many vintage shotguns are unavailable, requiring gunsmiths to fabricate them from spring steel bar stock. The process involves heating, bending, shaping, tapering for tension, hardening via oil quenching, and tempering to achieve elasticity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Leaf Springs
  2. 00:30Project Overview with Jack Rowe
  3. 01:20Heating and Bending Steel
  4. 03:25Rough Shaping the Spring
  5. 05:15Refining the Peg and Dimensions
  6. 07:23Tapering for Strength and Tension
  7. 10:05Hardening and Tempering Process
  8. 11:30Final Testing of the Spring

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it necessary to make new leaf springs for shotguns?

Replacement leaf springs for many older firearms, particularly British side-by-side shotguns, are often unavailable from manufacturers. This necessitates custom fabrication by skilled gunsmiths to maintain the firearm's functionality.

What material is used to make new leaf springs for shotguns?

New leaf springs are typically made from spring steel bar stock. A thickness of 3/32-inch is shown to be suitable for components like top lever springs in side-by-side shotgun actions.

What are the key steps in fabricating a shotgun leaf spring?

The process involves heating spring steel to red heat, bending it to shape, rough shaping with files, tapering for tension, hardening by quenching in oil, and tempering to achieve elasticity.

How is the tension of a custom leaf spring adjusted?

The tension is tuned by tapering the legs of the spring. Thinning the metal reduces its stiffness, allowing the gunsmith to precisely adjust the spring's force to match the firearm's action requirements.

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