Rad ALT ALive,
That experience doesn't sound good at all.
I flew some very old aircraft as well, however wear that bad causing that to happen is more due to bad maintenance/inspection or some pilot at some point not reporting such operation as a possible fault needing investigation.
Engine controls are to be inspected for correct operation on certain phase inspections if I recall correctly.
As you said when you tried it on another aircraft not worn out below limits it was impossible to do accidently even when abusing them.