How to (more easily) take aprt spring calipers

[dzarren]

Hello, I am having some problems getting my spring calipers apart when it gets to removing the spring.
I have successfully removed and replaced a spring, but during this process I put some scratches I'd rather not have into a set of ~1905 outside calipers.

I ended up just pushing the spring back on from the above, this seemed like the only plausible way without something to hold the spring open.

I have a few more I want to disassemble for cleaning, but am I missing an easy way to deal with the spring?
Thanks!

 

[RJSakowski]

A pair of external retaining ring pliers can be used to spread the spring to enable installation. Open the calipers to the maximum in order to reduce the spring force. A pair of needle nose pliers could also be used but you have to pull the jaws apart which is a bit tricky.

 

[RJSakowski]