Berdan II Issue

Good Evening. Got more information on Berdan II I might want to purchase. Here is an issue noted by the seller. Sorry, this is all I have to go on. What might be the issue:

"The firing pin and extractor appear to function fine, but when you pull back the cocking mechanism you need to push the trigger forward for it to stay back. Perhaps a spring is missing?"

It is an "As-Is" purchase so I am a bit concerned with spare parts being very hard to find.

Thanks,
Randy

Yes, a spring is missing. You might have to make one yourself. I had a SAA revolver come to me one time with no springs in it at all. I had to make them all and it worked fine.

Thanks Jim. I am college administrator with limited metal working tools or skills. I do have a Dremel, files, and screwdrivers for basic work. With that said, do you believe that appropriate replacement springs, assuming I can get a good idea of what I am replacing, are available. Randy

A spring is just that. You should be able to determine diameter and length and they come in long basic sizes from places like Brownell's. Gunsmiths have stocks of them, and springs that have been pilfered from scrappers. It shouldn't be too hard to sort out. You may even have a fraction of the old one remaining, or it may just have collapsed from time and lack of care. That gives you something to work with.

Thanks Jim. You have given me strength to buy the rifle if the price is right. Randy

We'll need pics of course...after. Also, you never know what will grow up out of the ground. I needed a Krag front band and one appeared. It had no screw, so another sent me the screw...now the gun is completed.