Tombstone Canyon

Eric, I don't have any specs on what color paint code to order (or if there is such a thing) but I have several pictures of what paint remains on my BSA Lewis. I have heard it called khaki but what is on my lewis is closer to "dirt". I believe it to be the original color that it was painted. My Lewis has plenty of blueing left and the paint certainly looks contemporaneous. It even has a couple of marks on the jacket that fit your hand perfectly as if it was handled while red hot. I can send you pictures if you contact me via PM with your email address. I thought of posting them here but I think you would get a better color match if I send you a high rez. Fred

Sounds like your main spring has lost tension over the 8 years you have been shooting with it. I don't have any direct experience with your particular gun but I do know that on guns that have variable main spring tension (Lewis Gun) you can set the spring so that the bolt carrier never quite rebounds to the sear. This results in a runaway situation as you describe for your Thombson. Another sign of a weak spring is the lack of deep primer strikes, as you mentioned as well. Hope this helps.

Terrific news!! Keep that Lewis Gun rattling. I know you have a grin on your face with the good news but the Lewis will make it even bigger!! Fred

I just received my renewal C&R. My letter was postmarked February 10, 2017 and the renewal license was postmarked March 3, 2017.

I second what Doug Stump says above. Whatever you do, don't paint, blue or anything else the radiator. It should be bare aluminum and as clean as you can keep it. Think of air cooled motors with aluminum heads. VW bug, Harley, etc. They were never coated because they radiate best if the bare surface is just kept clean. Polishing is not recommended. When I finally got my Lewis gas system apart (thanks for the help Doug) I was surprised when I found three names scratched into the radiator fins just above the gas tube: J.Myers, D. Myer, and R. Kincade. Each one was done by hand scratching something--probably a bullet or nail--to leave their names. It was difficult to see and impossible to photograph. The thought crossed my mind that this was the crew: One gunner and two helpers. Kind of made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!! Oil on the radiator will bake in but its worth your while to clean it well and install it clean and dry. It's worth the wait, My Lewis took 39 weeks. Fred

devildog Echoing Jim's comments. Doug Stump is the go to guy for repair of the Lewis Gun pans. He recently did 4 pans for me and they all run like they should after he does his magic on them. Thanks Doug! As Doug is quick to point out, the pans are very important to the correct running of the Lewis. If they are sticky or do not rotate freely they soak up lots of energy from the gas system and make sorting out the gun more difficult. Fred

&%*&!@#$)&(+_=? !!!

Doug, Thanks for taking the time to check this for me. I think I will try the thread file approach using the tool you recommend and report back. Fred

m3bobby, What a tip! It looks like finding the correct die is going to be a problem. Doug is going to check on a thread cleaner tool he has for me (thanks Doug) and I will try to turn up a sacrificial muzzle cone. I don't like destroying original parts either but it may be my best tool for keeping my barrels in service. Great idea from the Bren world. Fred

Thanks everyone for the replys. I'm chasing down the leads and suggestions and will respond with any news. Doug, I sent you a PM. Thanks, Fred

Hi everyone, This is my first post to the board, I've been lurking here while I wait for my tax stamp to arrive. The stamp's for a Lewis Gun Model 1914 ground gun. I bought a spare barrel and several other parts but have discovered the threads on the muzzle are dinged and I need to purchase an adjustable die to clean it up. My spare muzzle cone just starts about 1/2 turn then gets too tight to turn by hand. My barrel threads are cut LEFT HAND fractional 5/8-20. I can find right hand 5/8-20 but no LEFT HAND. Does anyone know of a source for the correct die (LEFT HAND fractional 5/8-20)? The barrel is in beautiful condition with a bright shiny bore that looks unfired but has had rough handling on these threads at the muzzle. Thanks, Fred 36 Weeks and still waiting for my stamp