[DonVoigt]

I believe the "gizmo" is the trigger lever; its purpose is to connect the trigger to the sear bar- and when the trigger is pulled, fire the pistol.

The bent pin, is just to hold the lever in place; it is longer in one leg than the other(at least some are, maybe not all), and if original may only go in the side plate in one direction.

It is possible your pin is bent, or the slight depression in the side plate is worn; or that it was just not fully assembled(correctly), first I'd try a new old stock or known good pin.

You can likely get one from Lugerdoc who posts here.