Brownells Gunsmith Tech Corner - June 2009

In our Gunsmithing we have several jobs that need an extra hand such as the assembly of small .078 diameter pin that into an assembly. We used to try to line up everything and replace the pin holding with a pair of heavy medical tweezers. This was a problem keeping the holes in the assembly aligned.

Starret Pin Vice

Last week we had to replace the Hammer Pawl Pin into the Hammer of a High Standard Derringer and keep the Hammer Pawl hole in line. There is a small spring under the pawl which did not help. Using the tweezers was very frustrating. After the third try we had an idea. We got one of our Starret Pin Vices to hold the pin. The pin vices come in a set with different sizes. Holing the pin in the pin vice made the job a breeze.

High Standard Derringer Hammer

We have worked on both High Standard and Charter Cylinders and reassembly is a three handed job. A .078” diameter pin has to be installed to the Ejector Rod Bushing or Cylinder Lock Plunger behind the Ejector. This time the Pin vice will not fit behind it and we found a new tool for that.

Thin Nose Vice Grip Pliers

We originally bought these to dismount the “V” type Main Springs on Flint Lock and Percussion Riles and Shotguns to work on the locks. They worked well for that and recently needing a way to install the small pins behind into the cylinder assemblies found they tightly held the pin aiding installation.