Coil springs and roll pins

[4v50 Gary]

The other night I was asked to examine a pepperbox pistol. The owner knew nothing about it and was wondering if it was original.

I noticed there was a coil spring and I was asked when they were first used, I told them that I didn't know. I do know that the C-96 Broomhandle Mauser had a coil spring around the firing pin, then it dawned on me that the early bolt action rifles also had a coiled spring around their firing pins. So, when were they first used?

Ditto about roll pins. I noticed that the gun had one roll pin. Roll pins were around, but most guns even in the early '80s had solid pins. When were roll pins first used on guns?

Anyhow, the stamped trigger guard on the pepperbox was the first thing (and easiest to see with older eyes) that suggested it was not made during the percussion period. They would have casted a part like that for quick production in those days. I told the owner it was probably a reproduction made in the '70s.

 

[RecoilRob]

Don't know about the actual first use, but coil spring around striker was used in Martini-Henry design in 1870's.

 

[TEDDY]

new old

coil springs started about the time metal cartriges. its a guess!as muzzle loaders used flat or v springs.and roll pins came in in 60/70s.I did know but age got my memory.

 

[Jim K]

Coil springs date to at least 1849 when Hunt used one in the magazine of his rifle. AFAIK roll pins date only to the WWII era.

As to the pepperbox, I suspect that it is a modern product, possibly made from a kit.

Jim

 

[4v50 Gary]

Stupid me. Thanks Jim. I now remember examining a real Henry rifle and there was a coil spring in the magazine tube. Ditto for the Spencer. Both are Civil War era guns.

 

[JimmyN]

I have an 1860 Henry rifle, that was my great, great, grandfathers, used in the Civil War.

It was manufactured July-September 1861, according to Winchester's records, that they retained from Henry when they bought them out. It has a coil spring for the tube magazine under the barrel.

The internals use flat springs, but the magazine uses a coil spring.