Firing pin safety catch mechanism

A firearm comprising:

• a breechblock;
• a firing pin having a tip, a proximal end opposite the tip and a catch surface disposed in proximity to the proximal end;
• a hammer which is movable from a loaded position through a motion path to strike the firing pin;
• a firing pin spring biasing the firing pin into a rest position wherein the tip of the firing pin is adapted to be spaced from a percussion cap of a cartridge;
• and
• a one-piece leaf spring including:
• (a) a spring arm supported on the breechblock, the spring arm having a proximal end;
• (b) a safety catch disposed in proximity to the proximal end of the spring arm and having a first position wherein the safety catch engages the catch surface to secure the firing pin in the rest position and a second position wherein the safety catch disengages the catch surface to release the firing pin for movement out of the rest position, the spring arm biasing the safety catch into the first position;
• and (c) a beveled release part disposed adjacent the proximal end of the spring arm, the beveled release part having a camming surface disposed within the motion path of the hammer when the safety catch is in the first position such that, as the hammer moves from the loaded position through the motion path, the hammer cams the camming surface of the beveled release part against the force of the spring arm to move the safety catch from the first position to the second position, and the hammer then strikes the proximal end of the firing pin to displace the firing pin from the rest position.