1873 carbine lever safety spring

chaz12 · May 3, 2014, 04:36 PM

Has anyone used the replacement lever safety spring for an 1873 rifle, from the Smith shop?

I ordered one and was ready to put it in when I noticed that it did not look like the pictures on the website. The pictures show one leg of the spring is straight and the other one has a 90 deg bend at the end to engage the lever safety bar. Mine does not have the 90 deg bend. I could easily bend it myself, but I wanted to find out if anyone else had done the same. If I bend it, it will make that leg shorter so I am questioning if that will work.

Chaz

**4V50 Gary** · May 4, 2014, 08:14 AM

A spring leg is generally bent either to provide tension/power against the surface it (or its opposite leg) bears against or to help retain something in place.

I'm looking at the images here: http://thesmithshop.com/leversafety.html

If that spring is supposed to provide tension against the safety, it won't unless the leg is bent.

barnowl12 · May 5, 2014, 01:15 PM

Looks like yours got past quality control. Bend the 90, and it should be just fine.

Driftwood Johnson · May 6, 2014, 06:34 PM

Howdy

I have one of the Smith Shop trigger safety bar springs in my '73. Yes, there is supposed to be a right angle to bear against the bar. If you don't want to bend it yourself, call up Bill English at The Smith Shop. He is a fine gentleman and will take care of you.

May 3, 2014, 04:36 PM	#1
chaz12 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2008 Posts: 223	1873 carbine lever safety spring Has anyone used the replacement lever safety spring for an 1873 rifle, from the Smith shop? I ordered one and was ready to put it in when I noticed that it did not look like the pictures on the website. The pictures show one leg of the spring is straight and the other one has a 90 deg bend at the end to engage the lever safety bar. Mine does not have the 90 deg bend. I could easily bend it myself, but I wanted to find out if anyone else had done the same. If I bend it, it will make that leg shorter so I am questioning if that will work. Chaz

May 4, 2014, 08:14 AM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	A spring leg is generally bent either to provide tension/power against the surface it (or its opposite leg) bears against or to help retain something in place. I'm looking at the images here: http://thesmithshop.com/leversafety.html If that spring is supposed to provide tension against the safety, it won't unless the leg is bent. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 5, 2014, 01:15 PM	#3
barnowl12 Junior Member Join Date: September 15, 2012 Location: Great State of Texas Posts: 8	Looks like a "oops" Looks like yours got past quality control. Bend the 90, and it should be just fine.

May 6, 2014, 06:34 PM	#4
Driftwood Johnson Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2014 Location: Land of the Pilgrims Posts: 2,033	Howdy I have one of the Smith Shop trigger safety bar springs in my '73. Yes, there is supposed to be a right angle to bear against the bar. If you don't want to bend it yourself, call up Bill English at The Smith Shop. He is a fine gentleman and will take care of you.