I think I too am coming to belief that it is just for coiling the spring and not for insertion into a barrel.Aaron wrote:Ok guys I finally got to writing my thoughts…
Heres what I think…
Ok so as Shane stated I too think it is intended to wind the spring and then wire it NOT putting it directly into the barrel.
First for the point labeled A I think this is where the end of the spring with the clip would attach. Then it would be attached to the part I have labeled B. The part labeled C is obviously used to crank the spring and wind it and the part labeled D is a ratchet system so that the spring doesn’t cause the spring to un wind. Now the parts labeled E I have no clue what they do and they may not have any purpose at all… Steve says he recalls something being “reversed” so the spring may have been wound backwards and then reversed when placed in the barrel. I seem to recall at one point seeing on TV something about main springs and if I remember correctly they wound it backwards until it was ready to be placed where it was needed. So other that that I am un sure. Perhaps ill find some time to do some research and see if I can find out more.
Aaron
I am thinking that "A" functions as a guard to keep the spring from "flopping" around. The spring would pass through the hoop formed by "A" and connect to "B". It looks like "A" can pivot around and hold the end of the spring to the wound bundle in preparation of wiring. Someone mentioned before that "E"'s should be set so the main winding shaft passes through the v opening. These could be adjusted to keep the spring from sliding side to side.
So, spring is feed through "A", hooked to "B" and wound up. "A" holds end of spring to the bundle and operator wraps and tightens a wire to hold the spring bound. Rached "D" is disengaged and the winding arm "B" is turned backwards which disengages if from the spring. Winding arm "B" is extracted and the spring is free.
Now, all that is left is to determine the provenance of this item.