1860 Pietta shows up with broken trigger/bolt spring

I scored a nice 1860 Army Pietta w/steel frame for $130 on the net, it shows up in excellent near mint condition- the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it. Well after cocking it a few times, it would not stay cocked. Removed the trigger guard, the trigger/bolt flat spring was broken, and a piece of aluminum stuck over it.

Popped in a spare ASM spring I had from 15 years ago, now it works like a champ- took the gun to the range, ran 48 shots through it, full cylinders of Pioneer substitute- it runs good.

it didn't cap jam on nearly every shot like my 1851 ASP Navy.

I have heard, and am beginning to believe, the majority of guns with frequent cap jams, just need a new mainspring with heavy tension to eliminate hammer blowback. This Pietta ran almost as good as my Remington- better than expected.
 
Sounds like the person who sold it knew it was broken if there was a piece of aluminum in there.

Anyway, I am glad you had a spare laying around.
 
the seller says it had a "trigger job" hair trigger and I'd have to get used to it

That is a fine line of bull****.
He knew that spring was broken.
Ah well, all's well that ends well.
Those Italians are not too good at making springs.
I wonder, in 1860, if Colt made better springs than the Italians do today.
 
(chuckle..) actually yes, it was kind of funny- that was one helluva hair trigger, pull the hammer back, it just snapped right back down without pulling the trigger :D

it had a wired trigger and it didn't know it:rolleyes:

guess I could have just fanned it...;)
 
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