Spencer disassembly

[Perry Owens]

My S&S breechblock arrived today so I intend to make a start on disassembling my M1865 Burnside Spencer. I want to totally dismantle it so I can understand how it works, clean the internal parts and inspect the barrel under the woodwork. I couldn't find any instructions or an exploded drawing so I will proceed slowly and photograph each stage but I have a question for those experienced in this - are there any hidden springs waiting to jump out and fly across the shop?

[French Jack]

No.  The only thing with spring pressure on it is the two breechblock sections and the mainspring in the lock.