Greetings My Dear Monsieur Hayes -
I have been so swamped as of late I have completely spaced that EOT is going on even as we speak. This it is likely that many of the local experts may be unavailable for a bit. However, since New Mexico is currently experiencing a heat wave driving the temps of Founders Ranch into the 100's perhaps I am not so envious....
back to your topic
I offer for your perusal and education this site:
http://www.time-slice.com/mohave.gambler/favorites/Remington/58_Rem_tuning/58_Rem_tuning.htmwhich describes the dissasembly of a Rem 1858
and in the exploded diagram here:
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Parts/1858-new-army.htmwe can clearly see the cylinder pin marked no. 21
now, on all my remmies, the end of the cylinder pin is visible in the baack of the frame when one cocks the revolver.
after ensuring the piece is unloaded, one could cock the hammer and gently try to drive the base pin forward, -or- if one does not have enough clearance carefully disassemble the parts,
1) remove trigger guard
2) remove stock (grips)
3) remove hammer, trigger and bolt screws
3a) remove trigger/bolt
3b) remove spring, trigger, bolt
4) remove mainspring screw & spring
5) now you can slide the hammer out (it can be tricky getting the hammer and hand back in the first time you do it)
and the back of the cylinder pin is clearly visible and accessible to attempt to gently drive the cylinder pin forward with a brass drift of the appropriate size.
hope this helps
yhs
prof marvel