How to center Colt's 1860 Army hammer?

[jphendren]

I have a 2nd generation Colt's 1860 Army, and noticed after about 100 balls, that the hammer is rubbing against the frame upon firing.  The color case hardening is getting some scratches in it on the right side of the hammer, as well as the frame where the hammer is contacting it.  How difficult would it be to center the hammer myself?

Jared

[Flint]

A couple of things, a combination...

Very often the pivot hole in the hammer is too large allowing it to rock sideways in the pivot screw.

I made a new screw, oversized, for a Pietta 58 and it helped.  Bushing the hammer is also possible.

A shim washer to the left side of the hammer, but that is difficult to align when you are assembling things, unless you solder it to the hammer.

Check the spring pressure of the bolt wing that rides the hammer's cam, too much and it will tip the top of the hammer to the left, made possible by the loose fitting pivot.

Too little bolt side pressure can make a premature bolt drop (as it will slide off the hammer's cam prematurely) and ring the cylinder, so don't relieve it too much.  The wings should be just a bit over parallel.

[Montana Slim]

Excellent advice & I'll add.....First thing for me with any new revolver is to do a complete takedown and deburr the whole thing. I commonly find small burrs on the frame where the hammer slides that would result in scratching/gouging as you describe. After deburring, the scratches don't get any worse.

Regards,
SLim

[rifle]

I believe there are times when the hammers screw hole doesn't go thru the frame just exactly right and isn't perpendicular to the centerline of the gun so to speak. That can cause the hammer to tilt and shims on the hammer screw on each side of the hammer can help that. Makes assembly a little aggravating but not really bad at all. It's worth the trouble.
other times the mainspring mounts to the trigger guard off kilter some and that tilts the hammer too. On the other hand careful filing of the mounting surface where the mainspring lays on the trigger guard can "untilt" the hammer. You know..like an off set compensating for whatever tilts the hammer. Like you use the mainspring to tilt the hammer. Since the mainspring puts pressure on the hammer below the hammer screw you make the mainspring put pressure on the rt side to make the hammer tilt right and on the left side to tilt the hammer left. Sometimes the slight amount the mainspring can tilt the hammer is all you need. Don't take much. You may have to make a pin that goes thru the roller on the bottom of the hammer tht is tighter in the roller to eliminate that play there or all you may do by tilting the mainspring is tilt the roller.
I fergitted to add to that part up there about the tilted mainspring....you have to braise the hole for the screw and drill that off kilter...besides file the bed the mainspring lays on. That makes a difference in how bad you want to try that. You know...tilting the screw hole a little too. That's not as practical as shimming the hammer but in a tight pinch..... ha ha ha 
I filed a taper to the hammer screw on one side on a gun once and that worked to un-tilt the hammer. Not a lot of taper though. A little.

[Fox Creek Kid]

Rifle, I think an old fart like you just likes to ¨shimmy¨!!    

[Delmonico]

A shim washer to the left side of the hammer, but that is difficult to align when you are assembling things, unless you solder it to the hammer.

A tiny drop of super glue works fine for such things, and it is quick and easy.

[rifle]

I think yer right Fox Creek. Ask "Junk Yard Dog"(the wife) and she'll tell ya the same thing. 
Delmonico, what are all the pots of coals in the pic for? Charcoal bluing pistol parts?
I've read that's how it's done. get the coals just smopking and leave the parts in there...pull them out now and then and card them with rags with lime on them. I've read lime and fish oil was used back in the day.

[Deadeye Dick]

Looks like Dell is feeding the Thundering Herd. Wish I was there cause I know it's gotta be delicious.

[Delmonico]

Looks like Dell is feeding the Thundering Herd. Wish I was there cause I know it's gotta be delicious.

From 2007, was hired to feed a bunch of sodbusters and cornhuskers. (No football involved. )  Antique farming demo.

[Delmonico]

BTW the super glue on the washer is an old time bodymans trick.