FWB 127 strip down help

[raisedbybrocks]

Hello all, I am restoring a friends fwb 127, which is nice because he will pay for the parts But I will have to give it back
I have stripped it all down, straightened a slightly upwards sweep to the barrel. V-mach Kit is on order and the bits will go To Manchester airguns for a full re-blue. However I can not for the life of me work out how to remove the spring and ball bearing that locks up the breech. I assumed it was held in place by the pin going through the breech at the rearmost of the action, having drifted this out, I cant really see what this does and am no wiser as to how to remove the bearing and spring. I would be worried to send it to be blued with the spring in as it might spoil the temper? Therefore I need a little guidance.
Many thanks
Will

[Garvin]

Hello all, I am restoring a friends fwb 127, which is nice because he will pay for the parts But I will have to give it back
I have stripped it all down, straightened a slightly upwards sweep to the barrel. V-mach Kit is on order and the bits will go To Manchester airguns for a full re-blue. However I can not for the life of me work out how to remove the spring and ball bearing that locks up the breech. I assumed it was held in place by the pin going through the breech at the rearmost of the action, having drifted this out, I cant really see what this does and am no wiser as to how to remove the bearing and spring. I would be worried to send it to be blued with the spring in as it might spoil the temper? Therefore I need a little guidance.
Many thanks
Will

I think the ball is simply 'crimped' in place, if that's the right word. I had a Sport reblued and the ball was left in place. Some blueing salt emerged from behind it for a short while but the spring held its temper perfectly well IIRC.

[raisedbybrocks]

Hello Mate thanks, does that mean it is just a very tight fit and requires prying out? don't want to brake anything, have to be extra careful cos i'm a blacksmith.

[pennineway.fswo]

As Danny says, the ball is pressed and staked in at the factory and I would not attempt to remove it. You will create a problem for yourself in refitting it - not easy

The hot blueing is carried out at temperatures that will not effect the steel temper/metallurgy.

Expect a bit of the chemical to leech out for a while after the bluing is complete, so check daily and remove it with a bit of rag soaked in oil.

John

[raisedbybrocks]

Thanks Chaps, will leave it in place.

[Gwylan]

Be careful not to damage the safety catch, they are made of thin metal, and difficult to replace.

Gus

[raisedbybrocks]

Cheers Safety is fine, should all come up splendidly. Just stripping the orible varnish off the beech stock to refinish it.