1841 Mississippi-small problem

[Poor Private]

I have never done any work on a long gun lock. But heres my problem. I just bought a Mississippi yesterday at the Kazoo History show. Used of course. It's small problme is that you can get the hammer to fall at 1/2 cock, by pulling the trigger. So any ideas before I pull the lock on the bugger?

 

[Harms Way]

I had the same problem on a FIE 1861 Enfield Musketoon..... It was a coil spring actuated lock, not like the original.... The tumbler was broken at the junction of where the coil spring recess was and the half cock position......

I ended having to tig weld up the tumbler (Couldn't find a replacement part in over 3 months of looking on the internet)And reshaped it.... (lot of work)

Sorry to say, but I hope you got a killer good deal on it.....

This is what happened to mine.

And this was the lil bugger in question...

 

[Rifleman1776]

Pulling the lock should be done right away before you try to use it again. Many of the import locks have a screw adjustment in the sear. Take a look and back the screw out a bit if that is the case.
Other than that, I would have to see the rifle before advising further as I am not familiar with that particular muzzle gun.

 

[Harms Way]

On the other hand,... My Son had one he brought to me a couple years ago (another FIE but this one had the leaf spring) And it did the same thing your reporting.... After pulling the lock, the sear fully engaged in half and full cock positions on the tumbler with a solid "click" and when placed back in its position. it met with a little resistance.

It turned out the elevation portion of the trigger was already touching the trip arm for the sear when the gun was assembled... And when you tightened up the tang screw it drew up the trigger tight against it.... Not allowing the sear to drop into the tumbler.... A few minutes with a jewelers file and a Arkansas stone fixed the problem completely.....

When you get it apart, can you post pictures ?

 

[lefty41]

On the other hand,... My Son had one he brought to me a couple years ago (another FIE but this one had the leaf spring) And it did the same thing your reporting.... After pulling the lock, the sear fully engaged in half and full cock positions on the tumbler with a solid "click" and when placed back in its position. it met with a little resistance.

It turned out the elevation portion of the trigger was already touching the trip arm for the sear when the gun was assembled... And when you tightened up the tang screw it drew up the trigger tight against it.... Not allowing the sear to drop into the tumbler.... A few minutes with a jewelers file and a Arkansas stone fixed the problem completely.....

When you get it apart, can you post pictures ?

My .32 Traditions crocket had this same problem and one of the men in our club showed me that the trigger had an adjustment that lowered the trigger elevation lever and that took pressure off when everything was put back together. Works great now, and made the set trigger much easier to use and trigger pull is more crisp and direct.

 

[hanshi]

Coincidentally, I had the same problem with my Crockett. A friend did the easy fix.

 

[George T.]

I do believe that you can learn most anything on this site! I love it! Geo. T. :bow:

 

[Bob E]

If you are new to tinkering with sidelocks I advise you to buy or borrow a mainspring vise. That would apply to leaf springs. I have no idea what a coil mainspring would need to remove it. If you decide that traditional muzzleloading is your passion then you will eventually learn the skills to repair and tune locks. A spring vise is almost a must. Google S&SFirearms or Dixie Gun Works and they will send you one for around $20.

Cheers, Bob E

 

[Leatherbark]

Is this a Bernadelli 1841? The reason I ask is that I have one that does the same thing. The lock looks of good quality. If yours is like mine when I pull the trigger on half cock its like the angle of the sear notch in relationship to the trigger will allow the trigger to "Wipe" the sear and actually make the hammer rise a little before the hammer drops against the nipple. Sort of like a double action revolver. Very scary . Been putting off fixing it. I believe a new sear fitted from another Italian musket lock will be in order. I might first change the half cock notch profile to see if I can stop this.

Bob

 

[Harms Way]

Did you ever figure it out ??????

 

[Poor Private]

I have been working alot since last weekend. I have to work this weekend also. So I probably won't get to tear down the gun until next weekend, when I can concentrate on it.

 

[Harms Way]

If you ever get over to the Prudenville / Houghton Lake area..... Bring it along,... But PM me first.

 

[Poor Private]

Just tore it down. Looks like I need a new tumbler. The 1/2 cock notch is worn. Hope I can find one or have someone give it a touch on a welder and then file it back down.

 

[Poor Private]

for some reason a double post?? :hmm:

 

[Harms Way]

Was it a coil or leaf spring lock ? Can you post pictures ?