On a break top, what holds the cylinder to the rod. Is there a practicle solution to excess fore and aft play (with the frame closed cylinder goes from touching to touching.)

Reason I ask is I was describing a recent purchase to a friend. He retrieved a shining nickle plated Safety Hammerless in goregeous condition which he told me "has been broken for 50 years".

The cylinder spins freely, but Numrich has a diagram online, and it looks that a new flat spring (prob have to make one) should hold it up tight. I assume the coil spring is for the ejector, does it have spacers or springs to control cylinder play, does that rod have threads that may have backed out?

Its not mine yet, (did I say that out loud) so no pictures sorry.

Any knowlege, intuition or hunches would be appriciated.

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