Sidewinder Bill Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 I recently acquired 2 original 1860 Army revolvers. The one manufactured in 1862 (4 screw version) is in great shape but will not stay at half cock. The other manufactured in 1867 (civilian 3 screw version) stays in half cock but does not index well and the cylinder does not line up with the hammer. With the 1862...the cylinder & hammer line up perfectly and index very well. Any idea what parts I need to get both these running smoothly? Or anyone who works on them? Thanks for any advise/suggestions! Happy New Year to all.... SWB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Take them apart and look. Very simple machines. If a gun won't stay on half-cock the typical problems are a broken half-cock notch on the hammer or the tip of the trigger is broken off. Cylinder not lining up is typically the hand. They are a single tooth design and when they wear the cylinder doesn't fully advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boggus Deal #64218 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Larsen is absolutely correct and I will add that the hand spring may be broken on the second. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidewinder Bill Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Thank you for the response. I will did a bit deeper and see. Will just live with it to keep them correct to the original revolver. Colt letter coming on the 1862 and see what it comes up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefro, SASS#69420 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Howdy Bill, IINM unless there are some custom features, the letter is only gonna verify that they are real, when they were made and what part of the country they were shipped to. IMHO repairing broken parts (replacing a spring..etc) to make them function will not make them any less authentic, and some original parts can be found. After you get your letter find a gunsmith that can fix em if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. And if in good shape shoot em ever now and again.....with real BP only . Good Luck Jefro Relax-Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Hey Bill, Like others have mentioned, these are simple guns to work on and repair. The timing issue could be as simple as the indexing bolt spring is broken so it doesn't lock the cylinder in place. The hand being worn is another. If you want to use the old parts to keep it original, a good tig welder can add metal to worn surfaces. Check with Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists in Paso. He is a Colt guy and may be able to get you back to running. The other guy for info is Rowdy Yates in Orange. Don't know if he is working on guns any more but is a wealth of information on cap guns. Jailhouse Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidewinder Bill Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 Thank you Jefro & Jailhouse Jim for the input and leads! I have received several other suggestions and will get to work on restoring them. SW Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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