Antique & Restoration rant

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Removing the firing pin bushing takes what is called a spanner wrench. You can make your own substitute.

Note that there are two little holes opposite of each other in the bushing. Measure the distance between the holes from the outside to outside.

Buy a flat-bladed screwdriver with the same width.

Use a file to cut a square notch in the blade, leaving a projection on each side that will fit into the above mentioned holes.

Then use your modified screwdriver to unscrew the bushing. You must first remove the barrel from the frame before doing this. Don't turn too hard or you will bend or break the little projections.

Don't try to remove the cylinder arbor. Instead wrap it with masking tape before you plate it. Also do not plate the barrel latch.
 
Thanks! well here's whats going on so far:

I have tried using some nails and a wrench to twist out the firing pin nut to no avail. It seems to be fused there pretty well and I'm wondering if it's because of the nickel plating, so I'll try again after stripping the nickel and soaking it in oil. The local gunsmith says he'll build the screwdriver tool and get the piece out for $20...

Thanks for the tip about the arbor, I'll let it be. Oh and I won't plate the latch; that along with the trigger guard I'll try to cold blue.

I have pics! one pin is not fully reinsterted, using a nail for the other one:
 

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I now have a new mainspring and firing pin return spring from Jack First parts. I have also reblued the latch and the trigger guard with birchwood blue paste, and I'm happy with the results. Only problem is I can't get the firing pin nut off with the tools that I have tried, so I'm going to a gunsmith.

I also have acquired a very rough shape Smith & Wesson 38S&W 2nd model top break single action with a spur trigger, that I want to restore. Now this one is in really crappy condition, and almost all the screws were frozen. I have been able to take them all out exept the latch screw; I've tried heating, oil, rust remover, etc. I don't quite know how I'm getting that sucker out.

More updates later...
 
The gun has been renickeled (not by me) and will be here on Friday!
I have found custom reloading service and will have them make me some 38S&W with 777 powder. Looking forward to it.
 
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