Got some issues with my original P53

[Spencer_Murphy]

So I took my original U.S. Civil War P53 out deer hunting. I got two nice does only fired twice. Cleaned the bore and the nipple real good and then the next day I went hunting I went to touch off a cap or two before loading and luckily I found this issue before loading the rifle. The hammer will no longer hold at Full Cock. It will sometimes hold at half cock but if you jerk the trigger with enough force the hammer will fall. I have never taken apart a lock before but I have an assumption this is going to be a sear and tumbler issue. Correct me if I am wrong here. That being said I am going to take the lock off for a closer inspection. Do I need any special tools to take the lock off besides a turn screw. I have never removed a lock or taken one apart. Now will I have to remove the mainspring to do anything with tumbler or sear ? If so I will buy a mainspring vise. I would like to get this rifle back up and running as it has immense historical value and is one of my favorite muzzleloaders to hunt animals and paper with. Also does anyone know of any companies that sell replacement Enfield parts in stock here in the United States. I know for my Snider Enfield I had to buy from Peter Dyson over in the United Kingdom but I would like to buy something here in the states as its faster shipping times. Thanks to all who reply.

 

[Phil Coffins]

A turn screw is all it takes to remove the lock, place it on half cock turn the screws out a couple of turns then tap the heads with the handle to begin moving the lock out. Remove the lock and clean it and look to see the condition of the parts. A photo in good light to show us will improve any additional questions you have.

 

[Phil Coffins]

So I took my original U.S. Civil War P53 out deer hunting. I got two nice does only fired twice. Cleaned the bore and the nipple real good and then the next day I went hunting I went to touch off a cap or two before loading and luckily I found this issue before loading the rifle. The hammer will no longer hold at Full Cock. It will sometimes hold at half cock but if you jerk the trigger with enough force the hammer will fall. I have never taken apart a lock before but I have an assumption this is going to be a sear and tumbler issue. Correct me if I am wrong here. That being said I am going to take the lock off for a closer inspection. Do I need any special tools to take the lock off besides a turn screw. I have never removed a lock or taken one apart. Now will I have to remove the mainspring to do anything with tumbler or sear ? If so I will buy a mainspring vise. I would like to get this rifle back up and running as it has immense historical value and is one of my favorite muzzleloaders to hunt animals and paper with. Also does anyone know of any companies that sell replacement Enfield parts in stock here in the United States. I know for my Snider Enfield I had to buy from Peter Dyson over in the United Kingdom but I would like to buy something here in the states as its faster shipping times. Thanks to all who reply.

A view like this is what will help.
IMG_1007 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Spencer_Murphy]

A turn screw is all it takes to remove the lock, place it on half cock turn the screws out a couple of turns then tap the heads with the handle to begin moving the lock out. Remove the lock and clean it and look to see the condition of the parts. A photo in good light to show us will improve any additional questions you have.

Thanks for the tip about placing it on half cock

 

[gemmer]

Thanks for the tip about placing it on half cock

You'll need a mainspring vice.

 

[OzSJ]

I have a replica 1858 that would fire from half-cock and would barely hold at full cock, just a hair trigger. I took the action out of the stock and all was well, half cock was solid and the trigger pull was reasonable at full cock. Putting it back in, same problem. I figured out where the stock had to be rubbing and was able to shave just a little wood from the inside and all was well. Maybe a change in humidity from its previous home, who knows. Not saying this is what you will find; I felt really lucky that I was able to diagnose and fix it so simply.