Need some help on a Victory repair

[no-logic]

Hi guys. I am going through my late father-in-law's gun collection. Right now I am working on a Victory in .38 Special. It is s/n V 305XXX. The problem is the cylinder doesn't advance properly. I've got it all cleaned up so crud is not to blame. What's happening is the hand is not being held forward onto the ratchet and I don't really see anything there that would take care of that. Is there supposed to be a spring or something to keep the hand from flopping around? Thanks.

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

 

[ronnie gore]

spring

yes there should be a hand spring, it maybe broken.
some had the spring in the trigger assembly others had a spring in the side plate.

 

[no-logic]

Here is the side cover. There is a guide but that doesn't seem to hold it forward nearly enough to contact the ratchet.

 

[Mike McLellan]

In the FAQ thread of the "Smithing" section is an essay,, with pictures, on how to fix your torsion spring. It's one of those repairs that is easier to accomplish than it is to explain. Check it out. I'm sure you can do it. One more reason why this is the best site on the whole darn internet!

 

[lebomm]

That device in your sideplate is the hand-actuated hammer block of the pre-42 K-models.

Larry

 

[no-logic]

Outstanding! The essay in the FAQ section had a different setup but it was enough to get me looking harder and I found that in the center of the trigger is a spring-loaded lever and all I had to do was lift it up and over the small stud on the hand. Thanks much fellas!!!

 

[gordonrick]

The hand spring was moved to the side plate with the 4th change to the model of 1905, but was changed back in 1926 if I recall correctly. The Victory hand spring would be on the trigger assembly.

It is relatively easy to replace, but tedious for old eyes and clumsy fingers.
I see you figured it out - good job!

Rick

 

[DWalt]

You may already know it, but V305XXX probably shipped around mid-Summer of 1943.