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.....
