Need to repair .44HE hammer

[gnf1]

I have a friend who has a .44HE third model made back in 1933.
The hammer will not cock back in double action mode, but will cock back in single action mode. That tells me there is a problem with the double action sear on the hammer. Either it's broken or the spring is missing.
My question is can the double action sear and spring be removed from a donor hammer from a Victory model or an old M&P to fix the .44 HE ?

I'm not sure if the double action sears are similar in size.

 

[DWalt]

Best to take it apart and see if the problem can be determined.

 

[chief38]

Hmmmm - don't really know! I'd take the sucker apart and compare the two. You never know it might be your lucky day.

 

[gnf1]

The problem is that the gun is far from where I live and my friend is not familiar with taking guns apart. So if someone can verify that the double action sear and spring from a donor hammer of a Victory model or an old M&P will interchange with his hammer then we can start planning to get the gun out to me. If it's not interchangeable then my friend might as well plan on finding a local gunsmith to fix it.

 

[steelslaver]

It might be something as simple as a gummed up part. First he should try removing the stocks and spraying carburetor cleaner inside the frame with the little tube that comes with the cleaner. Work the action as much as possible then spray with a light oil. If that doesn't do it then take off the side plate. It isn't that hard. There are videos and good illustrated drawings. You do need good screw driver that really fits the screws. Even if he can't get it back together he isn't going to be that much worse off and at least he should be able to see what is going on. If you know how you could talk him through it on the phone.

 

[DWalt]

A long-distance diagnosis is not too reliable. The spray carb cleaner may fix it, it may not. While removing the sideplate and disassembly is not a genius-level task, if he doesn't have much mechanical aptitude, best to take it to someone who knows how, or to a gunsmith.

Look on YouTube for videos.