Double Rifle Terminology

[Heym 88]

Being new to double rifles, I have a few questions. First one is ...sometimes I see three holes 120 degrees apart on the front of the receiver where the firing pins protrude. What is the purpose of those. Second..what does bushed firing pins mean? Thanks in advance.

 

[Red Leg]

You are I believe asking the same question. On a basic double rifle or SxS shotgun, the firing pins strike through holes drilled through the face of the action. Some better grade doubles have removable (threaded) discs through which the pin strikes. The discs allow easy access to the pins (or strikers as our Brit friends would say) for cleaning. This was more an issue back in the day when primers were less dependable and could and often did extrude copper back into the firing pin hole. I have never seen a cheap quality double with bushed pins, but many fine ones do not have them (I have three "best" London sidelocks and none have bushed pins - however a couple of my really good German guns do). The discs are turned using a spanner. Some have three holes - most only two - in which to insert the spanner and remove the disc. A cased, high end double with discs, would have included an ebony or perhaps ivory handled spanner for that purpose (along with screw-drivers exactly matched to the screws on the gun).

 

[Heym 88]

Thank you red leg. I thought one might have something to do with the other but wasn't sure. I appreciate your quick response and well written answer. Take care.

 

[AkMike]

Once in a while there is also a dovetail cut across the face of the receiver with the driven wedge drilled for the firing pins (strikers). The discs aren't the only way.

 

[Heym 88]

I see..thanks again for the info. On day I'll be knowledgeable about these rifles.

 

[DUGABOY1]

Being new to double rifles, I have a few questions. First one is ...sometimes I see three holes 120 degrees apart on the front of the receiver where the firing pins protrude. What is the purpose of those. Second..what does bushed firing pins mean? Thanks in advance.

The holes are for a spanner to remove the bushing disks, so the firing pins (strikers) can be removed without having to remove the stock. This is a real plus for changing a broken striker in the field.
Most of the best grade doubles had a back-up set of strikers labeled R (right) and L (left) along with a set of springs. These were often in a trapdoor in the grip cap and pre-fitted to the rifle.

Most German made double rifles have bushed strikers, even if they don't come with the spare strikers and springs. They can be ordered when ordering the rifle at extra cost even in the field grade doubles.

I have two Merkel double rifles, a 140E-1, 9.3X74R, and a 140-1.2, 470NE safari, They are both fitted with bushed strikers and the 9.3X74 is fitted with selective ejectors. The 470NE Safari has extractors.

BUSHED Pins means the disks mentioned above!

Good luck with your Safari!
.......................................Mac

 

[Heym 88]

Dugga,,thanks again along with others who have responded to my question. On putting my Searcy on lay away..I didn't notice if it had bushed pins or not. I guess I will know at the end of month when I get it out.