but I **think** the pawl is connected to the hammer and has a leaf-type spring on the back side. If the leaf breaks then the pawl doesn't stick out the window but simply slides up and down in the frame channel.

If it ain't that, then no idea.

Good luck!

This happens quite often with the italian made clones of the cap and ball revolvers... I've had a couple do this .... it happens usually with repeated rough handling of the revovler... as in overly fast and hard pull of the hammer... numerous "quick draw" practice...

One other thing it could be is the pivot pin either broke or fell out on the paw from the hammer... however.. when this happens, it usually locs up the hammer...

Also, when replacing the paw, not all paws are made the same for an individual manufacturer of the revovler... nor even of the same make and model from different years...

On one 1860 (made by Uberti back in the 80's) I had to search and buy several paws before I found one that I still had to hand file and modify to make it work...

But it can be done... GRIN

Odds are very good that the leaf spring on the cylinder pawl has broken, a common occurence. Point the gun straight down, and see if the cylinder then operates correctly. We used to run our old Ubertis for months with a broken pawl spring by simply developing the habit of pointing them down when cocking for the next round.

Preventative measures include de-burring and smoothing the channel in the frame in which the pawl operates, polishing the spring at it's contact point, and keeping it all well oiled.

JLF

Where is a good source to buy these spring. The handgun is a U.S.Pt.F.A. which is made from Urbeti parts, but finished "under the Blue Dome".