Help with a black powder pistol

**90volts** · March 16th, 2014, 08:49 PM

I found this tonight as i was digging through some boxes at my house. i had forgotten all about it. it was given to me years ago because it had a hammer that does not drop. So first, i am trying to ID it. It says made in italy on the barrel as well as that its .36 caliber. on the right side, under the cylinder, there looks like three markings... a flag or seal of some type, a box with 'AE' printed in it and the letters 'PN' next to that. I figure its a repro of some sort but i am not at all familiar with this type of stuff.

Second, i wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for a gunsmith who works on black powder guns in the delaware county area. the hammer pulls back and locks, but when the trigger is pulled nothing happens. i can push the hammer down against the cylinder no problem, it just doesnt go on its own. so i need to have that corrected as well as just taking an overall look to make sure it is safe to shoot.

any thoughts on either count would be appreciated. thanks!

**phill** · March 16th, 2014, 09:10 PM

Pull the grips and see if the hammer spring is present and under the hammer.

**90volts** · March 16th, 2014, 10:17 PM

So looks like its an 1851 navy replica?

and it does seem to be missing a part. from what i can gather there should be a spring going from that screw up to the hammer somewhere.

thanks

**pennlineman** · March 16th, 2014, 10:33 PM

The part you need is called a main spring. Dixie Gun Works has them for $3.50.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...oducts_id=1119

**G17-5291** · March 21st, 2014, 06:14 PM

That's an 1851 Navy replica. I had one in .44 (not historically correct) that was made by Pietta of Italy. It had the brass frame and I got rid of it because I shot it loose by loading it hot. They are really fun for 150 bucks though.

Like someone else said replace your mainspring and it should function.

**cdi** · March 21st, 2014, 06:18 PM

I might have one of those springs in the parts bin.
You would have to bring it by the shop to see if it fits- the Italians were not big on having each part exactly the same.

**90volts** · March 25th, 2014, 04:25 PM

thanks cdi but i had already ordered it. came in today and installed no problem. seems to be working properly now. now to clean it and learn how to load it so i can go shooting. =)

thanks everyone.