I was going through my wood pile and found these stocks. I don’t remember when or where I got them. I am not sure if they are for a Single Shot Model of 1891 or a later single shot or a 22/32 Hand Ejector (Bekeart) or a 22/32 Heavy Frame Target. It appears that they might have been used on a pistol that they were not made for. I base this on the fact that there are 5 spacers on each of the stocks at the bottom. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Also, any idea of value?
Thanks in advance,
They are 1920s era Target stocks, most likely from a 22/32 Heavy Frame Target but also used on other I frame Target guns of the era (as I recently learned). The spacers are not factory, don’t know why or how they would work?
Is there a serial number written on the inside of the right stock panel? If you can make it out it would help determine what gun they were from. Could be a .22/32 HFT from the 1920 to 1930 period when S&W did not install medallions or could be a .32 HE or a single shot. All of these guns could come with these stocks IIRC.
I don't believe that the holes filled with lead at the bottom are spacers but rather added weight. Just a WAG based on looking at photos and not seeing them in hand.
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James Redfield
LM #497
Last edited by JSR III; 08-03-2018 at 11:17 PM.
Reason: Ralph was CORRECT. Suffered a CRS moment
Uh----just so nobody gets confused, what James almost certainly meant to say (instead of just "straightline") was that the stocks will likely also fit any/all of the top break single shot pistols whose barrels run in a straight line, but should not be confused with the other single shot pistol often called a Straight Line, but is more formally referred to as ".22 Single Shot 1922 Model"---which explains why most everybody calls it a Straight Line----and it has flat stocks sorta like an autoloader---'cause that's what it looks like---sorta.
Now---about those spacers: It's probably just the camera angle, but, for the life of me, I can't figure out what it is they space. Of course if James' WAG is right (which it almost certainly is), then I don't need to know anything else----no way---no how.
I'm with Jim, those holes were probably for weights, possibly some lead shot with some putty to hold it into place. Added weight for the "Target" pistol.
Ralph, unfortunately I have suffered CRS (can't remember sXXX) for some time. My favorite is when I am working on a project in the house and need a tool from my workshop. I get to the basement, stare at my workbench and ask myself what did I come down here for?????
At least now since I had my little roof collapse and fall at the Maine cabin last summer and suffered a concussion, I can blame that when I forget things.
Uh----just so nobody gets confused, what James almost certainly meant to say (instead of just "straightline") was that the stocks will likely also fit any/all of the top break single shot pistols whose barrels run in a straight line, but should not be confused with the other single shot pistol often called a Straight Line, but is more formally referred to as ".22 Single Shot 1922 Model"---which explains why most everybody calls it a Straight Line----and it has flat stocks sorta like an autoloader---'cause that's what it looks like---sorta.
Now---about those spacers: It's probably just the camera angle, but, for the life of me, I can't figure out what it is they space. Of course if James' WAG is right (which it almost certainly is), then I don't need to know anything else----no way---no how.
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph
Can you show me were any of the Smith & Wesson catalogs or advertisements refer to the ".22 Single Shot 1922 Model" and not the Straight Line? I thought the .22 Single Shot 4th Model was introduced in 1925.
Ralph
Can you show me were any of the Smith & Wesson catalogs or advertisements refer to the ".22 Single Shot 1922 Model" and not the Straight Line? I thought the .22 Single Shot 4th Model was introduced in 1925.
Absolutely not!! That's because I have no such documents----and it seems unlikely such a convoluted name would ever make it into those documents in the first place---the marketing folks would have had a hissy fit. (And to the best of my knowledge, this pistol was in fact introduced in 1925.) And now, and I may be sorry I asked this, but can you show me any Smith & Wesson catalogs or advertisements which refer to the Straight Line as ".22 Single Shot 4th Model"? I thought that was collector speak. Okay, so much for that.
Sometime before it was introduced it was designed and built--and judging from the results, the marketing folks don't seem to have had much to do with that. Now, to the point of your inquiry, it appears the folks who designed it referred to it as ".22 Single Shot 1922 Model"---that quotation from the engineering changes list shown on pages 234-238 of N&J---Revised Edition. So I didn't make it up---just copied it down---and when I come across something I figure just might be new news (and perhaps even of interest to some folks besides me), I take advantage of the opportunity to let them know about it.
When I examined these stocks before the initial post I thought there might have been some characters written on the inside of the right stock. It looks more like letter than numbers.
Sorry, no help here.
I've speculated here that the strain screw (that in the butt) could be used to vary the pressure exerted by the sear spring, and therefore alter the trigger pull. It made sense at the time, and still does; but the results of a simple test don't---at least not to me. Perhaps we have a mechanical engineer in the crowd who can explain the whys of what's happening. And it's no problem if we don't, 'cause what's happening is still happening.
What's happening is as the strain screw is withdrawn, the trigger pull increases---the exact opposite of we expected (what I expected, at least).
To the specifics: I backed the screw out ten turns from seated. The screw moved approximately .170" (approximately 50% of its threaded portion of approximately .342").
I made four pulls with a Schrader gauge with capacity of 80 ounces. The hammer release occurred between 46 and 52 ounces over those four pulls.
Next, I returned the screw to seated (and made four more pulls). The hammer release occurred between 40 and 42 ounces over those four pulls.
So---moving the strain screw does impact trigger pull, but exactly opposite of what we (I, at least) had in mind.
The moral of this story is leave the strain screw alone.
Ralph, I will float my thoughts based on what you have observed.
The spring is a shallow curve with hooks on the top end. These hooks engage a T in the action that applies tension to the trigger. With the screw in the full in position the arch of the spring causes the two ends to be closer together. Picture a piece of computer paper laying flat on a table and measuring 11" long. Lift that piece of paper in the middle (representing the strain screw) and the two ends get closer together. As the screw is loosened, the main spring gets longer and applies more lift or tension on the hook end thus raising the trigger pull weight.
The bottom end of the main spring is fixed at the bottom of the frame and cannot move so all movement is directed at the hook end. At least that's how my brain sees it.
Job One: Forget any and everything you know about S&W's (except for the spiffy finish) when it comes to the Straight Line.
Next, forget about any and all leaf springs----with or without hooks.
Finally, get out N&J---go the the patent drawings---find the Straight Line-------------------------and sit and stare.
Sit and stare long enough, and (almost) everything will make sense----and you will see the light!!
And as long as I have this parts list Ernie was king enough to give me, I count four springs---ALL COIL!! And when you back out the strain screw, you decrease the spring pressure---and INCREASE the trigger pull. This is all explained by the expression "Go Figure!".
Mystery stocks
Linear Mode
