Click spring on a Smiths mantel clock

[Rixy]

I have taken apart a Smiths clock for cleaning and discovered a homemade click spring has been put in to replace a broken one on the strike side. The original had been riveted in place and the homemade one uses a different hole lower down and the bump of the old rivet as a stop for this makeshift one.  On the time side it looks like the riveted click spring has been successfully replaced with a screw-in one, using the old rivet hole. What are people's views on what I should do? Keep the makeshift spring? Try to remove the riveted remains of the original and screw a new spring in or have a go at riveting a new spring in place?

[HectorLooi]

I've seen click springs available on Cousins website. But they have to be bent to shape, heat treated to harden then tempered. I'm not sure how easy or difficult that procedure is going to be. @oldhippy should be along soon to advise you.

[Rixy]

Thanks. I have replaced springs in the past when it was a screw-in and that was straightforward. The problem this time is the rivet.

[HectorLooi]

Can the rivet be drilled out or filed off? But you'll have to be very careful not to mar the brass plate.

[Willow]

Cousins do all types of click spring and i am sure they do that type, the only thing is you have postage and packaging on top if you live in the UK someone might have a spare one they can send you, i will have a look later today to see if i have one and get back to you if i do.

[oldhippy]

Replace it that is a horrid repair. You need to make sure the two holes are as near to the original to have a good fit you can always enlarge if needed. here are some that can help the first link is best. You cold look on ebay. 

 https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/v-shape-by-size

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/click-springs-assorted

[KarlvonKoln]

Is that a cotter pin?  Did somebody kludge a cotter pin to do work as a click spring?  Good job it lasted so long but, egad! that is a sight.

[HectorLooi]

I think it's actually a click spring available from cousins.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/click-spring-wire

I don't know what kind of clocks use these. I've not seen them before.

[Rixy]

It may well be a distorted cotter pin, or perhaps some twisted spring wire. When I saw it, I thought someone had taken a bit of coat hanger!

I have found a Smiths movement that I bought for parts a while back and didn't use. It fits the case perfectly and it all works, so I think the easiest thing to do is a 'transplant' and salvage what I can for spares.