Even small explosions can cause ongoing hearing loss because it adds up over time. Tinnitus is a sign of high frequency hearing loss. I have it and I have learned to just block it out.

I always dis-assemble my Krags and check them out from the inside out. I have found more than one to have caked-up and dried oil deposits with 100+ years of crud developed in and around the trigger and sear. Sometimes this stuff is like creosote. It needs to be sprayed with oil, scrubbed with a toothbrush or wiped out and re-lubricated before it can function smoothly again. This could have been part of Fred's problem also.


So, Fred has brought this to the forefront for all of us to learn from. We are glad he was not injured. We may not ever learn the exact reason as to what happened but it's a great discussion.

Hope the hearing comes back quickly, Fred!