Martini Henry Mk IV Stuck Striker

[englishman_ca]

Only a stub, no head? Modern wood screws are formed from steel wire. These 100 year old Martini wood screws are actually made from cast iron, the metal can be brittle and the screw head will chip out if over stressed. Because of this, some British gun screw slots take a very thin turnscrew blade. If overstressed, the turnscrew tip will break before the screw does. Well, that is my theory anyway.

Cutting a slot should work if you can get in there.

Another suggestion would be to make a tiny hole saw from a suitable steel tube and cut out around the screw. Or simply dig it out and then repair the screw hole. Drill a nice clean hole and glue in a plug with a piece of oak dowelling, then redrill for the screw.

This is the solution that I use sometimes when the screw strips out of the wood and chews up the hole. The wood into which the screw bites is not very deep as the cleaning rod channel is right above it, so simply using a longer screw is not an option if you want to fit the rod. Make sure that the rod is in place and lightly greased when you glue the plug

The repair will be inside the inletting for the hook so will not be seen when the rifle is assembled.

Raw linseed oil is what was used in the day. Modern boiled linseed oil has driers added to make it more convenient to use. Several coatings of boiled linseed can produce a shiny finish, which can look nice, but totally wrong for a military arm.
I recommend that you use raw linseed and many coats over an extended period. (SOP was once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, then once a year.)

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Or simply dig it out and then repair the screw hole. Drill a nice clean hole and glue in a plug with a piece of oak dowelling, then redrill for the screw.

That's the way to go...mostly. The wood around will be powdered after removing the screw anyway.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Another suggestion would be to make a tiny hole saw from a suitable steel tube and cut out around the screw.

If you have the patience to make such a tool, it's a better/neater solution than hacking out the wrecked screw. Hole saw + beech dowel from a hardware stores = neat job.
If I can find the one I made, I'll post a photo, but don't hold your breath as I am at present deeply entangled with a muzzle-loading Anschütz (!) target rifle.

[MauserMike]

No head the screw was rusted almost all the way through flush with the wood

[MauserMike]

All good - I went in with a dental pick and the screw was just disintegrated completely. Drilled her out and have a hardwood dowel glued in and drying as we speak.

Should be able to get her all back together as soon as my goodies come from IMA. The bore is super on this rifle I think it may be destined to become a shooter at the end of all this.

[englishman_ca]

" I am at present deeply entangled with a muzzle-loading Anschütz (!) target rifle."

Wot??? Do tell. Start a new thread, this sounds interesting.

[Patrick Chadwick]

In the meantime, you might like to start reading about the Anschütz (post 20 in this thread)

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....nsch%FCtz+plug

[Patrick Chadwick]

" I am at present deeply entangled with a muzzle-loading Anschütz (!) target rifle."

Wot??? Do tell. Start a new thread, this sounds interesting.

It's coming. I got the Anschutz banging away again today, but need a couple of days for the photos to start a new thread

---------- Post added at 12:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:42 AM ----------

Sorry everybody, the last two post are in the wrong order, which makes it a bit confusing. I am having trouble with the software again, which doesn't let me edit posts at the moment.

[MauserMike]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. She's all back together now.

Only remaining question about the hole in the fore end stock just in front of the barrel band closest to the action: is there supposed to be a steel pin in here? I don't see a part listed anywhere. I might just have to fabricate one from some round steel rod stock.