There's a certain element of risk buying auction guns you cannot inspect. This one bit me. It is a first pattern Aydt from Clark Ehler's collection and scratched an itch I've had for too long. Unfortunately, the auction description failed to disclose that the hammer spring was missing. Compound that by the fact that the spring required is different than those documented in Alte Scheibenwaffen books. My gunsmith had a go at it by adapting a Winchester High wall spring on a perch which is shown in the photo. It imparts too little force by the time the firing point reaches the primer. I'm looking for someone who can make a proper spring for me so I can shoot this rifle in our local competitions. Tom

bnice wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 2:09pm:


We have been talking about it through PM’s because when he saw my post, thought the same as you.  Before I would attempt it, I would like to see what it was suppose to look like.  But, if it is straight, like the one there now, and it’s just formed correctly or not strong enough, it would not be hard to make.

I’m not sure what that spring did on Tim’s rifle, but thought it was for retaining the forearm.  Something like a sxs shotgun uses.  Maybe Tim will see this post and explain what it does.

The spring I made was a really stout one.  It would take a real man to cock a hammer if it fit.  As simple as that spring looks, it was a tough one to make.
Bob

In Bavaria where Aydt rifles are used often, all Aydt owners always have spare springs in their kit. Aydts are known to break springs. I've had two break. I've made several and while not difficult to make found them difficult to harden and temper. I do not recall ever seeing an Aydt with a spring attached with a screw.

Will post pictures of my Aydt breech block and spring. 

Bob, they have an internal hammer.

That spring isn’t any where near as substantial as a main spring in an American made rifle!

What does the springs loose end bear against?
Bob

westerner wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 5:58pm:


Looks pretty simple!

Tom’s gunsmith must have drilled the hole for the spring he installed.

The pointy thing on the hammer is the hammer sear. As the breech block rises the intermediate sear catches the hammer sear very similar to a Winchester single shot and rolls the hammer back into the cocked position. 

The end of the mainspring bears against the pointy thing on the breech block at the pivot point. When the trigger is pulled the kickoff jumps up and hits the intermediate sear releasing the hammer.

Looks like a punch mark. 

Had to take the Aydt apart to make sure I was describing it correctly. Man did it need a cleaning. Relearned the assembly sequence. Goes together but one way. First the intermediate sear, then the breech block and then the lever.

A gun got cleaned.....

Joe's spring is the more common type. Those can be had, ready to use. Bill Loos allowed as how he'd never seen one like mine requires. The back side of my hammer, is cut out more like the back of a Stevens 44. My photo shows a high wall spring we thought might work, but lacks the force to get the job done. I really hope someone with this type of spring sees this thread.

westerner wrote on Aug 17^th, 2026 at 12:24pm:



I wonder the same.

I think a spring shaped more like the Stevens may work better than the Winchester.  If there is clearance.  It aligns more with the axis and movement of the hammer.  And, I think it would follow through better.  My guess he put the riser in to get more pressure on the hammer with the Winchester spring.

This picture shows what I’m thinking.
Bob

I'm curious how the coil spring is held in place, on a strut? 
Also would like to know wire size, diameter and coils per inch.  It might provide a simpler jumping off point with others with the same dilemma. 
Thanks for sharing

All I have on the coil spring is the picture. I assume a detention for the spring to set in

bobw wrote on Aug 16^th, 2026 at 2:38pm:


It was located under the forearm but was used to release the lug that fit into the action allowing the barrel and forearm to rotate 90 deg for takedown.
Only needed a very modest trim to function perfectly.
The forearm itself is secured to the barrel by a cross bolt drifted out the side like most Aydts I’ve seen.

Thanks for the photo, fallingblock! It may be easier to make a coil spring block than to source the unknown spring my rifle requires. I bet the coil spring will be much less prone to failure than the leaf springs.