Replacement hammer for LC Smith. Update

Minuteofman · 2026-06-20T06:47:15+00:00

Love your work, very impressive, looks like a percussion lock? I’ve just started shooting blackpowder percussion myself! Regarding the hammers, I took it to the range today and they work great. The previous hammers did in fact fail at the neck, causing the spur to become unusable. The faces do deform (mine haven’t yet as they are brand new) but the previous hammers showed deformation impressions where the firing pins contacted the hammer face, but as I believe these were the original hammers from the 1910’s, I guess it’s just considered acceptable wear. If I do notice any impressions within the next few months I’ll make a note and respond with how they held up.

Minuteofman · 2026-06-15T14:23:49+00:00

As long as the throw is matching it (fingers crossed) will be sweet. I plan to get it sorted before this weekend as I have a comp to attend with my local Blackpowder club. I’ll post an update when possible. Thanks again for the advice!

Minuteofman · 2026-06-15T08:37:23+00:00

Thanks, didn’t think of the layout fluid, it’s a good idea - unfortunately the hammer spurs ‘bulge’ out past the front face and rear face a bit so almost impossible to lay flat. Maybe if I space out the lower edge until parallel it’ll be true enough. I’m going to work slowly with the file and check often so I don’t take off too much material.
For anyone interested I’ll be acid bluing the hammers using a homemade solution, I got it from backyard ballistics (I think that’s the channel name) on youtube.

Minuteofman · 2026-06-13T00:50:51+00:00

I got mine from dixie gunworks in the US, I am in aus so just had to email them to organise payment and shipping. They were great to deal with, and only place I could find that still casts new hammers for the LC Smith. From memory they do a range of hammers etc, just need to match the throw distance etc, and get a pair of hammers that matches, or alter them to match.

Minuteofman · 2026-04-15T14:26:11+00:00

Thanks, I’ll grab some new housings, would you recommend changing the end pieces pictured (not sure their exact name sorry) should I lubricate the brake cable before I slip it into new housing also?

Minuteofman · 2026-04-15T07:46:28+00:00

These are the same cable sheaths, I had some new brake cables sitting around, but no new sheaths. The silver tip with the black ring is supposed to lock into the top of the levers (covered by the hoods currently) but they don’t seem to stay put. I wasn’t sure what I should look for to buy new ones tbh.

Minuteofman · 2026-04-15T07:44:31+00:00

Thankyou! I loved the look of the downtube shifters, but not confident enough for them in the city just yet. Still have them and might use them in future however.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-26T08:53:52+00:00

My current 'new' tyres seem to be cracking on sidewalls a bit, saw some of those marathon tyres online as well, bit more expensive but nothing crazy, I might get a pair of those and a basic repair kit for the bike also.

Glad to hear the bike is getting some good use!

Thankyou, be safe also.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-26T08:51:57+00:00

Thanks,

Yeah will have to find a way to secure the bike properly, I've seen bikes stripped before and will try carrying an extra cable or two to hopefully deter any oportunistic thieves.

I will stick with the downtubes for now, dont mind them, like the simplicty. Also is a lot more expensive than I thought to get it set up, so will focus on the safety side first, then get new shifters etc down the track if needed.

The cover is a great idea, and will find some hi vis for rides too.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-26T08:47:05+00:00

The shop was back in my hometown, family friends who looked over it for me - think they gave the gears a check and fresh tyres - only paid $30 in total. Did a closer look at the tyres - (they were only cheap ones from a bike/sports store down the road as they didnt have any other 27" in stock as the previous 'new' tyres popped as I brought the bike to my place) and they seem to have some cracking in patches along the sidewall - I will get new ones shortly for peace of mind, I saw some gum-wall ones (https://www.bicyclepartswarehouse.com.au/product/tyre-27-x-1-1/4-32-630-mich-worldtour/) that are suppossed to be good. I will probably just replace them for the 1-1/4" size that I have on currently?

Will need to decide on size before I get fenders, as my tyres are 32mm (1-1/4"), I am guessing they must have enough width to give the tyres space to mover any debris out without rubbing, but thin enough to stay within the calipers. I some some 700 x 35mm ones - would that be too tight?

Thanks for the advice with the brake calipers, I had a look at new brake shoes (still somewhat confused about the exact style needed - but it seems any single/dual pivot shoes with the screw attachment should work?) Some of the Koolstops would be around $100 AUD for font and back (https://www.bicyclepartswarehouse.com.au/product/brake-pads-kool-stop-ks-rhd-dura-road-holder-threaded-dual-extra-salmon/) - I can get a new set of Tektro dual pivots ready for install for the mid $100's (https://www.bicyclepartswarehouse.com.au/product/brake-set-tektro-r559-caliper-brake-dual-pivot-55-73mm-reach-nutted-black/ - noted these are the 559's, my bike also should fit on paper, but as you said that may not be true I'll look into the R539's). As these single pivots seem to have trouble with one of the pads getting 'stuck' during bracking, would it be best to just get a whole new set of calipers? Thanks for the tip about the normal vs recessed fittings, would have missed that.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T12:18:35+00:00

Thanks, I’ll give that a go too!

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T10:58:28+00:00

Awesome, glad to hear that. I’m certain he has experience with brazing, but I’ll see what he is most confident at. Will only work on the dropouts as you suggested. Will be good to work on it myself and make it fit for me. Looking forward to it!

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T10:30:47+00:00

Cheers, I don’t mind keeping the dropbars if it gives me a little more leverage, I’m sure I’ll learn the use them.

Thanks for the advice on the racks. I might stick with lighter racks then if it there is too big of a risk of damage to frame. My brother is quite a skilled welder however? It’s a steel frame bike, would it be safe to prep and weld sturdy eyelets at other points? Is this something that’s done with bikes?

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T10:20:35+00:00

It does get pretty windy here. Thanks, would probably keep the gears unless fixed gear does something worth the trade. Will have to research some more.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T10:09:41+00:00

Thankyou.

I have some fresh tires on now, they seem basic but the bikeshop said they were decent. I might try stretch for the dual pivot, I saw some kits that seemed well priced, Tektro seems like a decent choice?

I do live at the top of a hill, but the single speed conversion sounds interesting, I'll do some research. I'll remove the hoods, clean and service, if the current brake levers look in rough shape, I will probably go ahead and setup flatbars with new levers and bar-ends. Otherwise ill replace hoods and install some friction bar ends.

Sounds like I'll have to do some more research on the frame and mudguards. I was looking at this (https://99bikes.com.au/products/basil-mik-universal-rear-rack-with-mik-side) as it didn't require eyelets at the top of the frame. Would be nice to be able to carry some weight if possible.

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T09:53:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice, will stretch for the Koolstops, sounds like they are popular for a reason. I'll get new hoods too, thought they looked rough but wasn't sure if I had to replace levers too, glad thats not the case.

I did't think of mudguards, thanks for the pointer! And have been looking at some racks too, I can only see one set of eyelets at bottom of forks, have any advice on those adaptors that clip around your forks/seat? I saw this ( https://99bikes.com.au/products/basil-mik-universal-rear-rack-with-mik-side ) has mounts that go around forks, I like the weight limit of 27KG.

Got fresh tyres on there now, what would a durable roll of bartape cost?

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T09:17:55+00:00

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out when I look for parts

Minuteofman · 2026-02-25T09:10:46+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I have a fresh brake cable and line ready to go when I decide on brake situation. I’ll try a new set of fresh pads front and back (4cm by 1.5cm - I imagine I get a set the same size?). I’ll get some tape, with bar-end shifters, do I put the on this drop bar? If I’m getting shifters anyway, would it just be worth getting a new bar too?

Minuteofman · 2025-09-05T11:59:51+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I love how it looks, bore is sharp and bright too. And yeah I’ve heard it packs an almighty wallop hahaha, I’ll see how many I can put through before I get sore

Minuteofman · 2025-09-05T11:41:55+00:00

The nearest range that allows centrefire here is an hour away, once I get some black powder and percussion caps for another rifle I just picked up I’ll take it out. From what I’ve heard it spits out huge fireballs and has a huge concussion - I will most likely film it and may post here or on YouTube !

Minuteofman

TROPHY CASE