How did the contacts get pushed in on my Nikonos-style sync cord?
The most likely answer is that the connector was tightened down without being aligned properly. The Nikonos connector must be aligned correctly, and should be STRAIGHT when it is inserted into the camera. It is possible to start the connector at an angle, tipping it up to straight as it goes into the camera; but this procedure is much more likely to extrude or pinch the o-ring, causing a leak. The Nikonos system should be very dependable with reasonable care in alignment and installation of a clean connector that has been lightly lubricated. Some European housing manufacturers have been known to install a “modified” Nikonos socket on their housings. This version replaces the two spring loaded contact pins with rigid non-movable pins which can destroy a legitimate plug built to Nikonos specifications like ours. Unfortunately these pins cannot be repaired once pushed in and it will affect the operation of the sync cord. Cords with pushed in pins must be replaced.
