What’s wrong with this?

[Kalalau]

This TC New Englander 54 Caliber muzzleloader is not working properly. The hammer will not catch when cocking. What would you suspect is wrong? It cocks sometimes. (You have to push the trigger forward to a consistent cocking position.) It’s probably the only one on island & hasn’t been fired since 1990. Thanks for all your help.
View attachment IMG_0687.MOV

 

[deermanok]

I would pull the lock off and disassemble it and give it a good cleaning.
I think worst case scenario is that the tumbler might need replacing.

 

[Kalalau]

Looks like the problem.

 

[smokepolehall]

Wow just the side plate was there ? What a bummer, a lock will cost a tidy sum of funds.

 

[deermanok]

I have polished up a few locks.
400 grit and 600 grit polishing paper.
Lightly oiled then reassembled.
Doing so has actually lighten up the trigger pull.

 

[Kalalau]

Wow just the side plate was there ? What a bummer, a lock will cost a tidy sum of funds.

Everything was there. That spring part was frozen from lack of lubricant. I disassembled everything so I could find out what the problem was.

 

[smokepolehall]

Ok you had stripped it down to clean. Geez i though you had gotten ripped

 

[brad502a]

I assume you are talking about the sear return spring and plunger.

 

[Kalalau]

It’s all good now. Just needed the cleaning you recommended Deermanok. Thanks!! Now to find some percussion caps for it
View attachment IMG_0699.MOV

 

[Kalalau]

I assume you are talking about the sear return spring and plunger.

That’s what it was. That plunger was frozen so the spring wasn’t able to function.

 

[deermanok]

It’s all good now. Just needed the cleaning you recommended Deermanok. Thanks!! Now to find some percussion caps for it
View attachment 31814

Glad that's all it was.
I generally pull the locks off my guns about every other range session. I give them a good clean and light oil

 

[BP Addict]

Everything was there. That spring part was frozen from lack of lubricant. I disassembled everything so I could find out what the problem was.

I was at a Muzzleloading Shooting Match and one of the members was having problems with his lock. He pulled it and it was dry as a bone. I asked him when was the last time he oiled his lock. His reply was "OIL my Lock?"

Glad you found the problem.

Walt