Pieta black powder

**sellclay** · May 17th, 2009, 12:31 PM

i just got a 44cal. pietta black powder revolver and the wedge seems to
be stuck and i cant get it out
anyone have a suggestion
thanks johnny

**PA Rifleman** · May 17th, 2009, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by sellclay

i just got a 44cal. pietta black powder revolver and the wedge seems to
be stuck and i cant get it out
anyone have a suggestion
thanks johnny

Since you're referring to a "wedge", I assume you have an 1851/1849/1860 Colt or similar design. If this is correct, try tapping it with a brass or leather mallet to loosen it. Hit it on the small end. Note that on correct reproductions, the wedge does not come all the way out. The barrel has a retaining screw that prevents the wedge from falling all the way out.

Hitting the wedge with a steel hammer mars the wedge tip, and over time will peen (enlarge) the tip like a rivet.

**knight0334** · May 18th, 2009, 08:32 AM

My Pietta required using a brass/bronze drift to whack on with a mallet.

The screw is a set screw on the arbor. You can remove the screw completely then use a drift and mallet on the opposite side. The wedges are in there pretty damn tight and you'll want to securely hold the gun while tapping the drift. Another set of hands or a padded vice is nice to have for such things.