Help denix 1860

[Sundowner]

I took one of my Denix 1860s apart to paint it. When reassembly came I cant figure out what I'm doing wrong. I can get the hammer to pull back and drop with the trigger but cannot seem to get the cylinder to rotate. Everything works fine except the cylinder rotating. If someone can please tell me what I'm doing wrong I would be very grateful!

 

[GrenadeKing]

No expert on the denix but, going from my knowledge of real firearms... you've got the spring in wrong. It looks like little silver hook on the hammer should push on the ratchet at the back of the cylinder. As it is, you've got the spring legs resting in those notches, preventing the cylinder from turning.

 

[Ttaskmaster]

As above.

Looks like the long arm of the spring should sit in the recess immediately above the finger space in the trigger guard.

 

[pennausamike]

I bought one of these to make a replica of Zoe's pistol from Firefly.

As the above posters noted, the spring needs to hook the silver ratchet piece.
Problem I had, was every time I hooked the ratchet, when I let go it sprang apart.

To get it back together,
I found it is necessary to build a little fixture to support the internal mechanism
until you get the cover on to hold everything in place.
The "pins" in the fixture are number drills and the holes in the fixture are only a .001" bigger or so.
This way, you can assemble the action around the pins, put the cover on,
and then push the pins out with the original screws.
I was really pleased with how this worked, so I'm keeping the fixture in case I need to disassemble my Zoe pistol in the future.

Mike

 

[Sundowner]

I knew I could count on you guys! Thanks!

 

[Sundowner]

Mike, this is my "Zoe quick draw" project after seeing yours lol

 

[pennausamike]

Mike, this is my "Zoe quick draw" project after seeing yours lol

Ah, yes, another one of my "quickie" projects that sat around for months 'til I figured out how to finish it.

Good Luck with yours!

Mike

 

[Sundowner]

Thanks! You guys are awesome!

 

[Treadwell]

I bought one of these to make a replica of Zoe's pistol from Firefly.

That "brass" paint is nice. What did you use? Mine didn't come out quite so convincingly (seen here next to a firing replica with real brass):

(The brass part of the frame of the historic weapons only went down the front of the grip--the bottom and back were steel....but for all I know that's how the Zoe prop was painted. Some firing replicas have more brass parts than the real historical ones, which could explain the prop being that way, if it was.)

 

[Sundowner]

I actually just used rub and buff brushed on and then a semi gloss clear coat. It gave it a nice weathered look. I'll snap a pic and post it after I leave the station.

I know what you mean with the brass. My version has more brass covering the frame but I've seen a few different variations. I figured your piece was correct just judging by all your other impressive work.

 

[Sundowner]

It works for me. I'm pretty happy with it, even if it may not be completely screen accurate. My iPhone takes crummy pictures...

 

[Treadwell]

That does look good. Subsequent to my pic I did use some rub-n-buff, which improved it. Unfortunately they were out of "brass" and so I used "antique gold", so there might be a reapplication in my future.

 

[Kevin Gossett]

I bought one of these to make a replica of Zoe's pistol from Firefly.

To get it back together,
I found it is necessary to build a little fixture to support the internal mechanism
until you get the cover on to hold everything in place.
The "pins" in the fixture are number drills and the holes in the fixture are only a .001" bigger or so.
This way, you can assemble the action around the pins, put the cover on,
and then push the pins out with the original screws.

Do you happen to have a picture of your fixture you used to get your Denix back together? I can get everything in place, but every time I try to insert the screws the spring pops. It's driving me crazy!