SPRINGS 'n THINGS.

Been following a thread on Gunboards about the Auxiliary Spring.
I have not commented as I could not find the info. that I had on this, Gunboards being the forum I found to be the entry point for a Ransomeware attack back in 2014 that cost me thousands of files and pic's.

Well after sifting through backup files on seven different computers, I reckon I have enough to add to discussion, but I will post it here, as I find the revamped format over there more difficult to navigate.....

So what's missing here... Attachment 126258 Yep, the Auxiliary Spring, but it's still in the case, just being used differently.
Attachment 126259Attachment 126260
I might add that this repair is still functioning in the rifle I use for Rapids and Snaps and will get another run in a Falling Plate Comp. next month, and has been working since 2013.

This repair is using one to repair a Mauser spring, it allowed the competitor to complete his shoot, ran 3rd if I remember well.
Attachment 126263
Now you probably are asking where this idea came from, well it's actually a Military Field Fix, early 1941, Malaya in the wet season, where the bottom bend would suffer from rust and weaken or snap and limited replacement parts were available.
Attachment 126261Attachment 126262Attachment 126264
Sorry about the pic. quality, have better ones but cannot locate them.

At the same time, the magazine drain holes were enlarged, this happened a few more times during the Pacific Campaigns, and the toe of the spring altered to give continuous drainage.
Attachment 126265Attachment 126266
Very noticeable in the No.5 Magazines that continued in service until the 1960's.
Attachment 126267
Well, just another couple of snippets from the Muffett file.

One interesting point is that the "auxiliary spring" is also a hangover from a spring system used in early Trials rifles in lieu of a rectangular spring formed in rather modern style, from round-section "music wire". See also early Lee Metford magazines. This "new" was the "C"-shaped one that clipped onto the front of the mag body and had the "running-end floating in a little "track" in the underside of the follower.

It appears that this spring design had a couple useful feature. Firstly, as it curled under the follower loaded with cartridges, (and the follower tilted increasingly down at the rear with a full load, the original springs acted to keep the exposed "stack" in place. Secondly, being attached thus meant that the harder metal in the flat spring withstood the beating given by cartridge movement during firing better than the relatively soft steel of the mag. body proper.

So, as the design "progressed", with a careful eye to compatibility, the magazine body external dimensions (Lips notwithstanding), barely changed. So, even though the mag spring was redesigned several times, as was the follower, the recess in the rifle body barely changed at all, Thus it had to be able to accommodate a variety of magazines, as cartridge design developed. Note also that the little part of that spring that clips over the front wall of the mag is what bears against the body of the rifle. This is NOT a modern "rock and lock", detachable mag system.

Some pretty slick 19th Century engineering went on with these rifles.

Pic's replaced.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

Been following a thread on Gunboards about the Auxiliary Spring.
I have not commented as I could not find the info. that I had on this, Gunboards being the forum I found to be the entry point for a Ransomeware attack back in 2014 that cost me thousands of files and pic's.

Well after sifting through backup files on seven different computers, I reckon I have enough to add to discussion, but I will post it here, as I find the revamped format over there more difficult to navigate.....

So what's missing here... Attachment 126258 Yep, the Auxiliary Spring, but it's still in the case, just being used differently.
Attachment 126259Attachment 126260
I might add that this repair is still functioning in the rifle I use for Rapids and Snaps and will get another run in a Falling Plate Comp. next month, and has been working since 2013.

This repair is using one to repair a Mauser spring, it allowed the competitor to complete his shoot, ran 3rd if I remember well.
Attachment 126263
Now you probably are asking where this idea came from, well it's actually a Military Field Fix, early 1941, Malaya in the wet season, where the bottom bend would suffer from rust and weaken or snap and limited replacement parts were available.
Attachment 126261Attachment 126262Attachment 126264
Sorry about the pic. quality, have better ones but cannot locate them.

At the same time, the magazine drain holes were enlarged, this happened a few more times during the Pacific Campaigns, and the toe of the spring altered to give continuous drainage.
Attachment 126265Attachment 126266
Very noticeable in the No.5 Magazines that continued in service until the 1960's.
Attachment 126267
Well, just another couple of snippets from the Muffett file.

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More a "can be used for" use of the auxiliary spring than its actual function but dont worry the FES fellas will run with this as is only true purpose, trust the drainage hole in the mag is used to help drain the water that passes through the oblong shaped chamber which was designed like this to allow water to drain pass a chambered round instead of simply filling the barrel with water!

That got a smile out of me 5th, we had some interesting snippets thrown at us from the FES, pity it is being wound down though.
Even if I never posted there after the last cleanout.

Whatever did happen to that masked man?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muffett.2008

That got a smile out of me 5th, we had some interesting snippets thrown at us from the FES, pity it is being wound down though.
Even if I never posted there after the last cleanout.

Whatever did happen to that masked man?

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Last i heard was he discovered he had Viking ancestry so went all Viking, even changed his name on FB, what a turkey! lol