JC Higgins

Easiest photo upload yet for those of you that tremble in fear of our image uploader is to email them to me, al at you know what dot com and I'll be happy to crop, size, etc and add them into your post. (Might be a day or so...)
Al

Mak, it sounds like the recoil of firing a round does something to the hand or associated lockwork, possibly a spring or a loose pin? Have you taken it apart and compared it to a parts schematic to see if anything is broken or missing? Springs can jump out of position or drop off a dogleg and still function until put under pressure. Is there any play or forward movement in the cylinder which allows it to move far enough to be out of contact with the hand? Chris S

Well, Chris, this is part of the mystery.
The cylinder has almost zero fore & aft play, even though this an old gun that has been subject to LOTS of shooting. In fact, the lockup of the cylinder-with the hammer down, has far less play in any direction than most new wheelguns I've examined.
No, I have not performed a full disassembly, for several reasons, the central one being that I'm still not completely certain exactly which generation of High Standard this model is from, and I believe they changed the lockwork from the 1st to the 2nd gen. , which means I'm lost in identifying exactly what the parts are supposed to look like, thus it would be a guessing game to determine which ones are worn to the point of needing repair. Through all this, I'm also assuming that H-S didn't alter their design for Sears, who sold the JC Higgins brand. H-S DID alter their cosmetics quite a bit.

However, your point is well taken concerning springs, and part of my theory on this problem revolves (HaHa!) around the idea that the hand spring might just be compromised.
In order to determine this, a lot of careful disassembly has to be done, because H-S revolvers used a sub assembly which included all the guts EXCEPT the cylinder stop spring, which is a bear to replace without kinking it.

Will have to mull over some options here. Thanks for writing back.

Al, thanks for the offer. It seems the old camera has grown legs, and when I find it, I'll put it to use.

MAK;
That's a decent looking revolver. High Standards, especiallly the semi-autos were always very precise. I can't offer much help in diagnosis, but I hope you get the problem cured. Have you tried Numrich Arms on the web to see if they might have a schematic?
 
Mike

The JC Higgins really are pretty guns. Did manage to see one once that was in much better shape than the Old Girl, and with the finish intact it was a fine looking revolver.
Unfortunately, the Old Girl did not come my way until well past her prime. I don't know her history, or even when she developed this issue. By the time she was placed in my lap, the problem already existed. Judging from the condition of the hand, several parts are in need of replacement, most likely the hand, hand spring, and possibly even the double action lever.  This is assuming that the pins and screws are in good shape, and that the frame will still hold them snug.

After much research, I think it likely that this is a 1st gen. H-S, which means I'm lucky if any parts are available at all. Frankly, I don't have the desire to sit down and attempt to shape parts by hand, unless they are already very close.
The Old Girl will shoot, but she will need a helping hand on advancing the cylinder on most of the chambers.

Ultimately, guns are a lot like people, we both wear out, and the Old Girl has sent thousands of rounds down range before I ever met her, and without some surgery, she will only be what she currently is. I may change my mind if I find a source of reasonably priced 1st gen. parts, but right now I'm thinking she can enjoy her retirement just as she is.

MAK;
I would advise to keep her. The retirement could easily be shortlived. You never know when the right info or parts may fall out of the sky. I had an old German single-shot bolt action hunting rifle that my wife gave me when we were newly married for about 20 years nit being able to shoot it. I eventually took a chamber cast and determined that it was a 9.5X47R. I managed to cobble some brass together from 45-70 cases and multiple sizings with 38-55 and other dies. Miraculously, an old friend gave me an original Winchester mold for 38-55; and I was off and running. It shot well with 21 gr. 4759 and unsized, hand lubed bullets. A few years ago, I found a set of dies and a bucket of boxer primed brass for her. Now she is my grandson's favorite. I don't seem to have a photo of her on this computer. So, you just never know.
I wish you much luck, just keep the faith.

Mike

Mak;
I just was looking at the May issue of "GUNS" and saw that it has an article about the High Standard Sentinel. I believe that might be the model you have. There may be some useful info in it.

Mike

I have checked Numrich, and it does appear that the JCH  has some action part alterations from the Sentinel . Whats more, the most important part, the hand, is out of stock. I did some looking, but no soap in terms of finding enough parts to recobble an action job.

Since the engineered fire and flood my tolerance for projects that require a lot of searching and securing is low to non-existent. Space is at a severe premium, and frankly, I don't have any need for a wall hanger. There is one path that might keep it open for repair if I pursue it, but either way it will find the Happy Hunting Ground in the lap of another.
BTW, great story about that German gun. I know the satisfaction you must feel even reliving such a sequence of events. I know this is a sixguns forum, but if you happen to have a picture handy, please post.

...on the photo, we're allowed to stray a little now and then.

I think it was made into a hunting rifle in Suhl. It's 9.5X47R - about the same as 38-55 in ballistics. I use an antique Winchester mold that throws a 255 gr bullet with 21 Gr. 4759. The grandson has routinely nailed squirrels with it. But, even though it is at least 140 years old, it doesn't make it as a 'primitive weapon' in Butthole, Mississippi. Now, if it was a plastic stocked break action chambered for 35 Whelen, that would be different.

It has  socket on the tang for a German peep. I haven't seriously looked for one, but I know they are out there.