AusVarmint

All the recent talk about springers got me all nostalgic.

So I cracked open the safe and dug out the old Chinese made break springer I bought when I was about 12 years old. It is a Pioneer Brand, model No.64432.

It is in quite a dilapidated state externally and will probably be my next tidy up project. It had a hard life when I was a kid, so its state is not surprising.

Curiosity got the better of me, I cocked it and the spring was still smooth and locked easily into place. I put in a cleaning pellet and squeezed off the shot. Heavy trigger but it worked and the cleaning pellet came out, and was clean.

So without no further ado, I loaded a lead pellet in and fired into a pellet trap from about 2.5 metres. A good solid thunk in the trap, the pellet was completely flat and had broken into a couple of bits. So it must still seal (at least after a fashion).

Does anyone know anything about these and whether any internal bits might be available?

I might need to find a sash clamp to disassemble and reassemble (If my memory on the process is right).

Pictures to follow over the weekend.

Cor blimey that brings back memories. A mate of mine had one, which ended up with me and which was then bequeathed to some other kids from a real poor family.

Circa 1980's they were about $35 to buy.

The piston seal will be leather - I can't remember whether they are riveted on or screwed on.

The breech seal will be leather too.

They bring back happy memories for me too!
If the leather piston seal is ok and not rotten or imbedded with nails,bb’s,match heads etc
Reuse it

Same with the breech seal
You might regret digging it out unnecessarily

I use Abbey SM50 to lubricate both

Springs are usually either Meteor or HW30

I can do both in Maccari

Happy to help you!!

Depending on what I find I will take you up on that Lewis.

Of course, the closer we edge to the weekend, the less and less likely it is that time will be available to play around with it...

Great!

I look forward to hearing from you

They can shoot really nicely with modern parts and lubes

I always gotta kick out of working on them

That reminded me.

My dad passed away in 2012, was going through some of his stuff in the house a little while ago and he had a pioneer hidden away brand new, don't recall him ever using it, probably wanted it for the odd bird in the back yard.

Well I finally got some space on the workbench, amongst the projects. I had an 'emergency' repair of my Annie 1813, so decided once that was done to get the Pioneer to bits.

Everything came apart easily, no BFI (brute force and ignorance) was needed.

The piston assembly took some coaxing and felt very gummed up.
The seal is quite hard but looks intact. Which brings me to the question; how do I attempt to rejuvenate it?

I will remove it from the assembly as I need to soak all of the metal work in turps or something similar and get everything squeaky clean but I am not sure what to do about the leather.

Any and all ideas gratefully accepted.
Finally, is it worth getting a new seal and maybe a spring? I fear the cost would be more than the worth of the rifle.

That seal looks great
Use it again

Get done Bowdens Orange Agent from Supercheap etc for degreasing everything

Get a 16mm similar wooden dowel with paper towels to clean out the receiver tube

Give me the details on the spring

Number of coils
Gauge of wire
OD of the spring guide

I can match it up

IF the leather breech seal is ok use it again

Thanks Lewis.

I'll grab some cleaner and get you the spring details.

OK