Most of my hammerguns have firing pins retained by a small cap/nut.
I have noticed others that have a much larger head that are retained by a pin going in from the side of the action.
I assume these to be a later style, but happy to be corrected on that.
All of mine have springs in them to withdraw the firing pin once the rebounding hammer comes to rest.
On my new gun, there are no springs. This does not seem to be a problem opening the gun for some reason, but occasionally when closing it they foul on the extractor.
Now it could be someone simply took the springs out, but I don't think so, besides if I fit a spring they take up space not allowing enough pin protrusion.
Looking at the underside of the extractor there are corresponding notches which look like they are designed to "lift" the pins as the extractor slides past.
My other guns don't have these notches.
One pin is a poor replacement, and it could be simply replacing this and polishing both may solve the problem.
Anyone had similar experiences?

GDU

Sounds like an earlier hammer gun with what are termed 'non-rebounding locks'. Before opening and closing it requires the hammers to be brought back to the 'half cock' position. You will find that the hammer in the fired position rests right down on the firing pin. Draw the hammer slowly back and it will fall into the half cock position. You should then be able to open the action without risking damage to the firing pins. When it is in the half cock position you should be able to try and pull the trigger and the hammer should not fall. Not always foolproof though if the action id badly worn. Hence the saying 'going off at half cock'. Just play around with it and you will feel the half cock and full cock positions. Makes the gun a bit slower to use in practice but not that much of a problem. It can be converted to rebounding locks but may cost more than it's worth. Hope that helps. Lagopus.....

I have had hammer guns without spring to push back the firing pin. They were rebounding hammers just not equipped with the spring. You might need to clean the hole and polish the firing pin so it slides easier.

Also, you might remove the extractor and thoroughly clean the hole for the extractor stem. Wouldn't hurt to polish it a little with some very fine emery cloth wrapped, maybe glued, on a very small rod, or just rolled into a sufficiently small size to be inserted into the hole and worked in and out. Then, l'd polish the extractor stem with the same emery, and oil before replacing. The "notches" you mentioned are also to help begin the forward movement of the extractor as it is acted upon by contact with the nose of the firing pins. Any polishing and lubing will help ease that movement.

Good luck!

Do you have any remedies for hemeroids Stanley....

Asking for a friend.

If Stan had a remedy Joe ,,you would have diassapered a long time ago