A drive mechanism for a circuit interrupter comprising a crank and lever pivotally interconnected by a resiliently yielding connecting rod assembly. The connecting rod assembly comprises a coil compression spring and first and second links slidably coupled together to compress the coil compression spring. Rotation of the crank in either direction causes the lever to drive the movable contact of the circuit interrupter into and out of engagement with the stationary contact. The coil compression spring is loaded under compression when the movable contact is driven into engagement with the stationary contact, storing and maintaining a mechanical static load on the movable contact for as long as the movable contact is engaged with the stationary contact.