[Public-List] Barlow winch disassembly

[Greg Bover]

I have a winch on the mast for my jib halyard marked "Barlow Australia 16." It has gotten significantly stiffer to turn over the last season and I'd like to service it. The problem is I can't figure out how to get it apart. All my other winches are Lewmars, easily taken apart. There are no visible screws, nor circlips, nor split rings on the Barlow. At the bottom of the hole where the winch handle goes there's a plate about the size of a nickel that seems to be sprung. It moves down about a half inch when pressed, but nothing seems to happen otherwise, nor are there any fasteners exposed when it is depressed.
Anyone have any experience with these winches?
Thanks,

Greg Bover
A-30 #114
PENSIVE FLYER
Gloucester, Mass.