problems taking apart the broomhandle.

[pitts duncan]

i watched a good utube video on how to take the broomhandle apart. i released the mag well cover and took out the follower and the spring and plate but the release lever on the back won't move? it is in extremely good condition but it may still be rusted down in there. i sprayed with good coat of wd 40 and gently tapped with nylon butt of screw driver but still no movement. i was going to let it sit a few days then hit it again with penetrating oil and maybe gently tap with a hard wood dowel? what do you guys think?

[james m]

Take the grips off if you haven't already done so and squirt some Kroil oil or something similiar up into the release lever area. I just checked mine and it's also somewhat stiff as I haven't had this pistol apart for quite some time.
Jim

[Douglas Jr.]

You should pull the hammerto its extreme cocking position in the rear. It goes a few more milimiters back than while in the normalfiring cocking position. The realese lever only will move with the hammer in this position.A kind of safetysystem to avoid accidental disassembling I guess.

A good step by step can be found here:
http://askmisterscience.com/1896maus...isassembly.htm

Douglas.

[PanzerJohn]

Have fun putting it back together!

[pitts duncan]

holy samolies

well i got her taken apart and put back together , but as daddy used to say i have done it both times , my first and my last. wouldn't have been so bad if the sear clip hadn't fallen out without my noticing it back together it wouldn't release hammer or shoot. after taking it back apart several times and hearing the dreaded ting a ling on the floor under the table i found the thingy and figured out what it was and where it went and put it back together. thanks so much to the knowledgeable contributor that said to full back on the hammer to release the assembly, that was the TRICK. while apart i noted the little sear retainer had 712 on it as did all other internals, also bolt assembly ,barrell hammer frame are all numbered same ,ending in 712. i even pulled the grips and they are 712s. wow. gun is serial numbered to war time production so was probably used but of course not ever accepted so one can only assume. i hve the original wooden stock and leather holster and a few stripper clips also came with it. . i bought some correct prvate partizan ammo for it but have not shot it yet. thanks again for the help as always i knew someone would help me out. pitts

[Douglas Jr.]

thanks so much to the knowledgeable contributor that said to full back on the hammer to release the assembly, that was the TRICK.

You're welcome! Glad it all ended well.