Lately I've really been getting into antique .22s and I've acquired a few for really reasonable prices that need fixing up. I put together a Stevens Favorite from a bag of parts; I fixed a Hungarian Lampyagar that had a firing pin issue, and I fixed up an old German Erma Werke with a mainspring issue. This is a Hamilton 27. It was remarkable for its time for being the CHEAPEST .22 on the market. This is because it was produced using stamped steel and a barrel formed around a mandrel instead of being bored. Many people do not recommend firing them but I think that they are perfectly safe if the proper precautions are taken.
This one came to me missing a front sight and the hammer spring had a nasty habit of sliding off the trigger and jamming itself in behind. I think this rifle was worth saving, not only because it was an interesting piece of history, but because it was actually the higher end version. Hamilton rifles came with either a board-shaped gumwood stock for $1.25 or with a turned walnut stock for $1.50 (pre World War 1 or Great Depression prices). This was the turned walnut version.
To fix the trigger issue I ended up putting a roll pin through the trigger box assembly right behind the trigger which allowed the spring to rest on the pin and trigger without jamming itself in behind. It can't be seen unless the rifle is disassembled. I fabricated a front site out of some sheet metal and soldered it in. When the rifle came to me it would not fire reliably. Now it fires great. I think the roll pin gave the mainspring just a bit more power (that it may have lost over the past century). Also the cleaning may have helped a bit.
Anyway, enough talking (note the farm fresh repair nut and bolt):
This one came to me missing a front sight and the hammer spring had a nasty habit of sliding off the trigger and jamming itself in behind. I think this rifle was worth saving, not only because it was an interesting piece of history, but because it was actually the higher end version. Hamilton rifles came with either a board-shaped gumwood stock for $1.25 or with a turned walnut stock for $1.50 (pre World War 1 or Great Depression prices). This was the turned walnut version.
To fix the trigger issue I ended up putting a roll pin through the trigger box assembly right behind the trigger which allowed the spring to rest on the pin and trigger without jamming itself in behind. It can't be seen unless the rifle is disassembled. I fabricated a front site out of some sheet metal and soldered it in. When the rifle came to me it would not fire reliably. Now it fires great. I think the roll pin gave the mainspring just a bit more power (that it may have lost over the past century). Also the cleaning may have helped a bit.
Anyway, enough talking (note the farm fresh repair nut and bolt):
