M 1917 hand is missing pin

[DesertTortoise]

I'm sorry in advance if mess up the nomenclature for any parts.

After cleaning my M1917 I noticed the hand was not functioning correctly (falling backwards into the works).

The hand is missing a small pin that fits in the semicircular cut where I assume it places the hand under tension or at least prevents from falling backwards. This pin was present when I disassembled (I took pictures during disassembly), but who knows where it is now.

-Can I repair the hand without replacing the entire hand?

-Is there a part # for this pin alone (I've searched the normal old smith and wesson parts sites and parts diagrams and have not found it)

_How is this supposed to work? Is the hand under spring tension keeping it forward, or does the pin just stay in the semicircular track with no spring tension?

- did the M1917 have another hand tension spring? It looks like the hand tension lever and trigger lever interact with the same spring inside the trigger assembly. Is there a dog leg type spring that I am missing, or is that on newer models?

Thanks and happy Thanksgiving!

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[WR Moore]

There is supposed to be a pin in that hole. There is (should be) a spring inside the trigger that acts on the missing pin to force the hand forward. Possibly a piece of drill rod the correct diameter and length could be locked into place with red Loc-Tite or possibly the green (meant to retain sleeves).

Having said that, I see some material around the hand pivot pin I've never seen before and suspect that someone else tried a repair on the hand. You've seen the results. You'd be further ahead to just replace the hand.

 

[cgt4570]

Having said that, I see some material around the hand pivot pin I've never seen before and suspect that someone else tried a repair on the hand. You've seen the results. You'd be further ahead to just replace the hand.

Hands of the pre-ww2 era have that raised boss at the base of the main pin. It's correct.

If the hand rotates the cylinder with proper carry-up, I agree with cutting the shank of a drill bit off and being done.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Thanks!

I'll try to repair with a 1/32 drill rod.

I also ordered a used hand off ebay that has the same rectangle shaped piece of metal on it so perhaps that done at the factory vs a repair?

We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the help!

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[steelslaver]

There should be a small spring inside the trigger and one leg of the spring presses on the missing pin to put the hand under forward tension.

The spring works similar to the spring on an old fashion clothes pin and you need to get the one arm on the pin when you stick hand on trigger. A small dental pick helps.

 

[WR Moore]

OK, learned something about the old guns. I've used a modern hand to restore proper carry up to a Brazilian version (1937?) of the pistol. I can't recall if I needed to make any alterations to fit it, but they wouldn't be critical to the hand's purpose.

 

[handejector]

There should be a small spring inside the trigger and one leg of the spring presses on the missing pin to put the hand under forward tension.

The spring works similar to the spring on an old fashion clothes pin and you need to get the one arm on the pin when you stick hand on trigger. A small dental pick helps.

Not on long action guns.
There is a see-saw lever in the trigger. The front end of that lever has a coil spring under it that makes the rear end push down on the hand pin.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Repair is complete and the revolver is back together, working well! Ready for another 104 years

I made a pin from music wire. It needed to be an odd diameter, about 0.45 to fit. So in-between 1/32 and 1/16.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Here is the new pin

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[DesertTortoise]

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[DesertTortoise]

Not on long action guns.
There is a see-saw lever in the trigger. The front end of that lever has a coil spring under it that makes the rear end push down on the hand pin.

Thanks! Most of the info I could find was for the newer designs!

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[steelslaver]

I guess I need to take an early trigger apart.