Need Top Break help

[jeffrefrig]

Back on April 26th I posted about this gun I bought, identified by member glowe & others as a .38 Single Action, 2nd Model. A semi-confusing model name by S&W at the time. I shot it 10 rounds for its first test run by me. It worked well for all ten shots. Later I cleaned it, etc., and honestly the only tool I touched it with was a barrel/chamber brush.
So later I tried to work the action and the cylinder didn’t turn when I cocked the hammer. I opened the gun and saw the thing that I think is called a hand wasn’t coming out to turn the cylinder. I removed the side plate, opened the gun and noticed it would come out sometimes but not every time.
So, I think the spring for it lost most of its spring ability. Weak. Gun is pretty clean inside but I sprayed it out with some degreaser/cot board cleaner and put a little Ballistol in the action, to no good results. I can’t find any info about these guns online.
I’ve added a couple pictures and put a white dot on the part (hand?) that turns the cylinder.
If anyone knows of a service/parts manual for this I’d appreciate any info. Thanks for any advice or suggestions, other than hang it on a wall!
I believe tension would be a better word choice than “spring ability.”

 

[mmaher94087]

Yes, that is the hand. From your picture I'm guessing that you have a bit of grit or congealed oil in the pivot point of the hand and hammer that is preventing the hand from functioning properly. A thorough cleaning after disassembly will likely cure the problem unless the spring is broken.

 

[opoefc]

I second Mike's solution. Either some crud or broken spring. Complete disassembly of the hammer & hand will probably reveal which is the problem. Ed

 

[rct269]

If needed, instructions for the disassembly/reassembly can be had from David R. Chicoine's book, Antique Firearms-Assembly/Disassembly. If repairing a fault other than by a proper cleaning (which cannot be accomplished with anything in a spray can) is called for, Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West by the same author will help you with that.

If push comes to shove, Chris Hirsch is a gunsmith working only on antiques---and is a WIZARD!! Google Chris Hirsch Gunsmith for contact information.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[jeffrefrig]

That’s what I was looking for, all 3 answers. That helps a lot. I just don’t want to jump in taking apart something I know little about. That book will help I’m sure. Removing the side plate is as far as I go! As weak as the spring is I’m sure a tiny bit of crud will cause the issue, I assume, as in modern guns with burnt powder under the ejector. I just need pictures and words!
Thanks so much. Jeff T.