Breech Block Failure 1916/1920 Erfurt

gunbugs · 01-29-2021, 03:10 AM

So, the way I see it, past "how do we fix it"...Begs the question,"what is the cause of the failure". Obviously, the extractor tried to beat its way through the slots in the breech block. Why?.... I can see a ruptured cartridge, or some other ammo failure trying to blow the extractor out of the top of the block, but our O.P. says the ammo functioned normally, and the brass looks good. I can't see the parts being so badly fitted by the boys at Erfurt that they sent out a pistol doomed to failure. It seems to me that the little "ears" on the extractor were being forced up into contact with the cuts in the block, and some type of overtravel situation occurred. But, it again begs the question, What is the cause? Too long of a hook on the extractor? Abnormally large diameter rims on the cartridge? What was forcing the extractor up so hard? A weak extractor spring, allowing the extractor to flail upwards without resistance? Without knowing the cause, we may not be fixing anything.

01-29-2021, 03:10 AM	#16
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 673 Thanks: 371 Thanked 1,202 Times in 407 Posts	So, the way I see it, past "how do we fix it"...Begs the question,"what is the cause of the failure". Obviously, the extractor tried to beat its way through the slots in the breech block. Why?.... I can see a ruptured cartridge, or some other ammo failure trying to blow the extractor out of the top of the block, but our O.P. says the ammo functioned normally, and the brass looks good. I can't see the parts being so badly fitted by the boys at Erfurt that they sent out a pistol doomed to failure. It seems to me that the little "ears" on the extractor were being forced up into contact with the cuts in the block, and some type of overtravel situation occurred. But, it again begs the question, What is the cause? Too long of a hook on the extractor? Abnormally large diameter rims on the cartridge? What was forcing the extractor up so hard? A weak extractor spring, allowing the extractor to flail upwards without resistance? Without knowing the cause, we may not be fixing anything.