I am taking apart a 1915 950 Hamilton and have a problem getting the mainspring barrel to separate from the plate and winding wheel. I have taken off the 3 screws and jewel retainer but mainspring barrel doesn't come out of the plate or winding wheel. I don't want to damage anything so can anyone advise me of the procedure to disassemble the 3 pieces? Thanks Bill

The three screws only hold the jewel setting in place ... good that you took that off. In my case the jewel was easy to take out once the retainer was removed, kept me from breaking the jewel.

If I remember correctly the barrel should just slip right out. The tension from the mainspring will keep it on the barrel arbor, but if you hold the ratchet wheel while "unscrewing" the barrel, you should be able to wiggle the barrel from the barrel bridge and barrel arbor.

If it is like the 952 I have, the barrel arbor unscrews from the ratchet wheel...I do not recommend trying to remove it, unless you plan on replacing it. They are usually very tight from mainspring tension (since mine was broken, I actually had to heat the parts up on the stove to loosen the arbor from the wheel).

DO NOT TAP IT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR URGE MAY BE!!!! Learn from my mistakes! The link below has further info and pictures that might help.

My Hamilton 952 Project Watch

I have a picture of the ratchet wheel and arbor barrel apart as well. There is a picture in the post I sent to you that shows them together on the barrel bridge. Hope this helps.
Dan

Thank you Dan, It sure had me perplexed as to how it comes apart. It isn't broken and isn't set and I "was" going to clean and lube it. Bill

If you get the barrel off then I would go ahead and clean it. It should come off of the arbor as I mentioned. Remember to make note of how the new spring goes back on though as I think the 950 barrel opens opposite of a 992 type. Also mind the lower barrel jewel when putting it all back together.