I've taken mine apart and I'm cleaning up. I'm going to put a pad on too (but I'll save the butt plate. I'll post a pic when I get it done in a week or two.
Interesting my locks have coil springs unlike the photo show earlier. Water table is stamped S30 so everything looks to be original.
When I'm done I'm going to put some low pressure loads through it but i thing I'll mount it in a cleaning vise and pull the trigger with a string first!
Dave-
I would like to see some photos of your coil spring locks. Did you find getting them off the stock and receiver an easy operation as did I?
Your Meriden is a bit younger than mine. Also, I have seen some Meridens with fore end latches, mine lacks that latch.
The 1908 catalogue touts the self locking device in the fore end that dispenses with the latch. I wonder if this was an evolution from those with a latch, or if it caused problems in the early guns and was replaced with the more traditional latch.
As for the locks, in 1908 catalogue, both the hammerless and hammer gun locks are illustrated and both use the old fashioned V spring. So not long after my shotgun was made and not long before your shotgun was made, there may have been a transition to the coil spring.
As far as shooting the Meriden, you do as you wish…I fired mine from the shoulder first shot, but then anyone shooting twist damascus has to have a screw loose, right (+700 rounds and counting by the way)?
Doug
