how to reinstall the flat spring in a S&W 1861 #2 army? Mine broke.. had one made with spring metal from a gunsmith..exact copy..can't seem to get the spring metal to bend into slot..afraid of breaking something by hammer if put too much tension at base of flat spring while trying to force into grip slot....Wish I had gunsmithing knowledge now. sambo

The Model 2 Army has a strain screw at the base of the stock frame that is tightened against the mainspring after it is attached to the stirrup on the hammer.

Back the screw out until it no longer shows on the inside of the frame. Place the top of the spring into the stirrup. Sometimes you need to take the sideplate off, but normally you can do it from the stock frame. If necessary, use a small wooden dowel between the stock frame and the spring to curve the spring enough to slide into the slot on the bottom of the frame and re-tighten the strain screw.

Make sure the length of the replacement spring is exactly the same as the broken one. If it is even a little too long, it will not fit correctly.

I found a schematic on Old West Gunsmith site that might help.

Attached Images

Model 2 Schematic.jpg (48.6 KB, 13 views)