Probably not, action shields are an add on for sure (cause folks won't clean their revolvers), cap posts are a modern fix for a modern problem, wire springs are modern versions of flat springs (coils are better), plunger hand springs came out with Ruger, bolt blocks DID come from Colt's custom shop as well as action stops ( that's where Jim Martin learned that from). The thing that these upgrades DIDN'T change is the timing aspect as well as function . . . which is why FACTORY corrections are STILL the correct fix!!!
Please tell me what those "improvements" are so we can learn what's "frill" and what isn't.
Mike
Well since you asked :
1. Maintaining the original bolt and hand flat spring style replaced with stainless spring stock. They are faster reacting and more efficient (responsive) and reliable (original design) than when coil/ plunger or wire springs are used. A coil spring will eventually take set and loose some tension (1911 recoil spring as an example) which is actually not to important in the hand spring as long as the tension is great enough to maintain contact with the ratchet and preform it's sole purpose.
The bolt spring must be left strong enough to prevent skip over or notch hop which is the actual cause for it occurring. I think this is also referred to as throw by ! Again the flat spring has a faster response time than does wire springs. The reason this is true is because the wire coils make the wire spring longer than is a flat spring for the same response movement requirement. Personally I think so called throw by is caused by improper bolt spring response and has nothing at all to do with hand tension increase. I think what happens is coincidental occurrence of improper bolt response rather than hand spring tension which gets the blame. The very fact that a coil and plunger works is proof that there is no gain of hand spring tension in the hand stroke rise as it can only be decreased by the leverage lose as the plunger contact moves closer to the pivot in the rise.
Wire springs will indeed break, usually in the coil as they are cold wound. I have had to make and replace them. Wire springs are more reliable than flats springs made of standard spring steel but this is not true when made of stainless spring stock.
2. Bolt blocks below the window are a solution in search of a problem for normal function (in my opinion) as they are farther away (less leverage) from the cylinder notch and window linked by the bolt to stop rotation. The screw purchase at the bolt base has plenty of leverage in it's position and is more than adequate to handle the lateral torque imparted by cylinder stoppage energy especially in a well fit bolt and window mate up. I can see a possible useful function for window support against batter in fanning revolvers but the cylinder notch is what takes the real beating an fanning is a nonsensical mishandling of a revolver.
3, Cap rakes I have found to be unnecessary when the nipples are adjusted (diamond filed in a hand drill) to the caps used, hammer face clearance is adjusted and the safety pin notch is relieved of all sharp and battered corners.
I am an enthusiast of the action shield to keep debris and fouling out of Walker guts when flat head riveted in place of the hammer body cross cut which is a weakening action that hooks debris or needs to be filled to prevent it .
4. I especially like well fit tool steel wedges in tandem with an end fit arbor plug of solid steel for ultimate performance.
5. I don't care for drilling and tapping (weakening) the end of arbor slots for factory wedge adjustment screws.