Navy Arms Zouave - circa 1965 Lock needs a reallly good cleaning
My Dad bought this Italian made NAVY ARMS .58 Zouave around '65, and we used to shoot the heck out of it. It is what got us involved in casting to start (minnie balls). I don't remember him buying any for that matter, but I guess he must have to get us started.
I have recently cast 235 minnie balls (same Lyman mold!), and I have 300 musket caps, so I'm wanting to shoot this musket! I have not shot it since probably the early 80s. I took it apart to give it a good cleaning and found out that my Dad did not care for it later on as we had earlier. So, while it is in good condition to shoot, the lock needs an exceptional cleaning. I've cleaned it up some, soaked it in oil, and the trigger pull and the hammer seem to be working okay, but it is still a mess.
How do you take apart and put together the lock due to the two leaf springs (one for the lock trigger, and the main spring)? It does not look complicated, but what is the best way to compress those two springs?
Fowling mixed with cosmoline and some rust... :holysheep
Just for grins, this is what is on the barrel: FARA GARDONE V.T ITALY and under that: FHRA and ser. #
Bob