Firing pin springs?

[Daryl Corona]

The question is do top lever hammer guns have springs to retract the pins back into the breech face after firing?

I have an 1883 Gr2 that does'nt have them... the pins protrude through the breech face after firing, although I have'nt fired this gun yet. The confusing part is I have an 1889 Gr2 that does have them. Were springs added after 1883? There really is'nt enough room to fit a spring and have the pins protrude enough to strike the primers. Any ideas?

[Brian Dudley]

Some do and some don't. I do not know a cut off date or if there is one. They are not really needed.

[Dean Romig]

Some did - some didn't.... some do and some don't. Some have completely rusted out leaving little or no evidence of ever having been there. If there isn't enough room for springs then yours probably never had them.

[Daryl Corona]

Thanks Brian and Dean, I kind of figured that. I've sent the locks off to Tom Carter for new screws so I'll have to wait until they are done to fire it. By the way, I was amazed at the condition of the internals of the locks as they were absolutely pristine, inside and out.