Problem with the takedown lever on a 1916 Erfurt

[nick.helms]

Hello,

I'm having an issue with the takedown lever on my 1916 Erfurt and was hoping I might get some assistance. When I go to fieldstrip my 1916 I can't move the takedown lever without the assistance of a padded screwdriver blade. On my DWM and Mauser I can easily push the barrel back, rotate the takedown lever, remove the trigger plate and take apart. On the Erfurt however it won't budge, now once I do rotate it and strip the gun it moves freely and when I reassemble it's fine, no problems rotating back into place. Any thoughts? I've been researching the problem but haven't found anything, is there a way to remove the takedown lever and lubricate? Is this just the case with some older lugers? A couple people recommended cocking the toggle and then doing the takedown but that didn't work.

thanks, Nick