matchless

I have made many gun springs.I start with a suitable piece of spring steel such as a spring from a pickup truck hood [the flat coil type] not the extension type.Old VW beetles had a bundle of flat torsion springs in their front suspension.Recoil starter springs from junk lawnmower engines.work for smaller springs.I have even used metal banding from lumber yards for sear springs in flintlocks.Also have used garage door torsion springs forged flat.I make a full sized pattern of the spring from stiff paper or thin cardboard.Mark where the bends are. After forging to thickness if I didn't find something suitable I anneal by heating to red color then burying in dry ashes or vermiculite to cool slowly.Using the pattern as a guide,file the material to shape.Remove all nicks and scratches.Make the bends at a red heat.When satisfied with the shape,heat to nonmagnetic, then quench in oil.I use 10w40 drained from my pickup truck,After quenching I place the springs in a steel container such as sardine can or candy tin with enough oil to cover them.I place the container in the forge and heat untill the oil boils and then catches on fire.Using tongs,I remove the flameing container from the forge and allow all the oil to burn off.When cool clean with emery cloth and put to use.Expect some failures.I usually make a spare set at the same time.Good luck. Matchless