1861 Springfield lock

[Kent Shootwell]

I've just bought a Pedersoli 1861 rifled musket and I'm pleased with it as a shooter as well as looking good. While shooting I noticed that as the hammer is cocked the spring pressure built up as full cock was neared. I have an original 1861 lock in fine condition that doesn't have that issue. On close study the stirrup on the replica is shorter and doesn't swing in close to the tumbler at full cock. A Longer stirrup from the junk drawer is now in place and the lock works much smoother and the trigger pull is better. The difference  in length between the two is the new one is .060" longer and that matches the original lock. Maybe that info will useful to some one messing with any lock with stirrup.