Hey J Framers-- M-42 Marked w/BUG Screw

dewey · #1 12-20-2010, 04:05 PM

SN 117XX, 5 Screw,High Horns with pin in nice condition. Any others around? Is it a desirable configuration? I know Ns but Js are another world. Thanks-dan

+++++++++ ANY IDEA ON PRODUCTION DATE ? ? ? +++++++++++++

Engine49guy · #2 12-20-2010, 06:23 PM

I recently aquired an unfired 4 digit steel Centennial "Pre" 40 .
Paid quite a bit less than the $650 new "classic" costs ...

Havent had the heart to shoot it yet.

SDH · #3 12-20-2010, 08:04 PM

I'd love to see both of these, Pictures?

dewey · #4 12-20-2010, 08:52 PM

I'll take some pixs soon but I'm a little busy running around for Christ's Big Day----OUR big day, really.....and a little work in between.....dan

Malysh · #5 12-20-2010, 09:58 PM

Dewey, you won't find out the exact production date. S&W can tell you the date the gun was shipped from the factory by the serial number.

My 4 digit Centennial Airweight with strain screw is #3651. The letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks told me the gun was shipped in 1954. It may have been manufactured anywhere from Nov 1952 when production started to sometime in 1954 but they can only tell you when it was shipped. Even a 2 or 3 digit Centennial Airweight or Centennial may not have shipped until a later year. It's just the system they used.
This applies to all S&Ws not just J frame Centennials.

Hondo44 · #6 12-20-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malysh

Dewey, you won't find out the exact production date. S&W can tell you the date the gun was shipped from the factory by the serial number.

My 4 digit Centennial Airweight with strain screw is #3651. The letter from S&W historian Roy Jinks told me the gun was shipped in 1954. It may have been manufactured anywhere from Nov 1952 when production started to sometime in 1954 but they can only tell you when it was shipped. Even a 2 or 3 digit Centennial Airweight or Centennial may not have shipped until a later year. It's just the system they used.
This applies to all S&Ws not just J frame Centennials.

Malysh, I suspect you meant to say bug screw not strain screw. I'm not aware of any of these early J frames made with a leaf spring with strain screw on the front grip strap.

Engine49guy · #7 12-20-2010, 10:44 PM

Steel frame Centennial 4 digit SN#,
4 screw frame with original high horn grips serrated front site.

Hondo44 · #8 12-20-2010, 11:03 PM

Engine49guy,

That's a true beauty to behold. I'd pay $650 for one of these long before I'd ever get a new one at any price; well maybe up to $300 for one of those new ones with grip saftey instead of the key lock!

sandwtrader · #9 12-20-2010, 11:04 PM

I have M42 SN 114xx Shipped in 1958. Has bug screw also.

Hondo44 · #10 12-20-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandwtrader

I have M42 SN 114xx Shipped in 1958. Has bug screw also.

Well there ya go, a 4 digit # gun pictured above with no bug screw and an 11,4XX # gun with a bug screw. Perfect example of S&W's "non-system" of transition chronology.

dewey · #11 12-20-2010, 11:30 PM

Prolly 'ship mates'. I'm thinking of getting rid of it so I won't have time to letter it.

HONDO-That's half the fun......S&W antics.dan

red9 · #12 12-21-2010, 08:14 AM

Jim,

"Well there ya go, a 4 digit # gun pictured above with no bug screw and an 11,4XX # gun with a bug screw. Perfect example of S&W's "non-system" of transition chronology."

The 4 digit was a steel frame and the 11,xxx alloy. Was the bug screw ever used on steel frame guns? I have seen it only on alloys.

Bob #946

Göring's S&W · #13 12-21-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

SN 117XX, 5 Screw,High Horns with pin in nice condition. Any others around? Is it a desirable configuration? I know Ns but Js are another world. Thanks-dan

IIRC, when talking J frame 5 screws, the 5th screw is the screw forward the trigger guard, and the 4th is the upper side plate screw. In K and N frames, the opposite is true.

dewey · #14 12-21-2010, 09:48 AM

Is above the upper sideplate screw positioned in a small 1/2 moon to keep it in position. No screw in front of the trigger guard.

Göring's S&W · #15 12-21-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Is above the upper sideplate screw positioned in a small 1/2 moon to keep it in position. No screw in front of the trigger guard.

Then apparently you have a 4 screw gun. All 5 screw guns regardless of frame have the screw in front of the trigger guard.

galena · #16 12-21-2010, 11:34 AM

OK Guys, I'll show my ignorance. I've been a S&W guy for a long long time; however, the term "bug screw" is new to me. Will someone please enlighten me as to which one that is? Thanks. Keep shootin'

ImprovedModel56Fan · #17 12-21-2010, 11:41 AM

The bug screw is the locking screw on a few guns that is positioned to keep the upper sideplate screw from loosening.

Stophel · #18 12-21-2010, 01:32 PM

I was about to ask the same thing...what the heck is a BUG screw????

I have NEVER seen a lock screw on a S&W.... An Auto 5, yes, but not a S&W.

galena · #19 12-21-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model520Fan

The bug screw is the locking screw on a few guns that is positioned to keep the upper sideplate screw from loosening.

Model520Fan, Thanks for the info. I've seen them, just never heard the term. Learn something everyday, the older I get, the less I know. Keep shootin' Galena

Malysh · #20 12-21-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Malysh, I suspect you meant to say bug screw not strain screw. I'm not aware of any of these early J frames made with a leaf spring with strain screw on the front grip strap.

You could be right, I'm no gunsmith, but I can tell you I've seen both the term bug or strain screw used very often in threads concerning the "locking" screw that was used against the uppermost frame screw on old J and K frame Airweights. I think I'll just start calling it a locking screw from now on.

ImprovedModel56Fan · #21 12-21-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stophel

I was about to ask the same thing...what the heck is a BUG screw????

I have NEVER seen a lock screw on a S&W.... An Auto 5, yes, but not a S&W.

You have the right idea - it's the same as a locking screw on an Auto-5. I can't remember whether I've seen one on an S&W once, or not at all, but I've seen numerous pictures, usually (or always?) on a 42.

Engine49guy · #22 12-21-2010, 02:35 PM

I have seen a few very early production (Pre 42) Centennial Airweights with a small lock screw on the upper sideplate screw.

"BUG" is commonly used referring to a small "Back Up Gun"..
I assumed BUG screw meant the "back up" screw..Makes sense.
BTW
If you have SCSW 2nd ed go to page 112 and the one in the middle has the set screw.

Malysh · #23 12-21-2010, 04:55 PM

Engine49guy;135742402]I have seen a few very early production (Pre 42) Centennial Airweights with a small lock screw on the upper sideplate screw.

Mine has it. #3651

Engine49guy · #24 12-21-2010, 08:26 PM

Do you have the ability to post pics?
They are worth 1000 words....
Cheers!

Hondo44 · #25 12-21-2010, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red9

Jim,

"Well there ya go, a 4 digit # gun pictured above with no bug screw and an 11,4XX # gun with a bug screw. Perfect example of S&W's "non-system" of transition chronology."

The 4 digit was a steel frame and the 11,xxx alloy. Was the bug screw ever used on steel frame guns? I have seen it only on alloys.

Bob #946

Bob, thank you! I had forgotten all about that distinction. You are correct the 'bug' screw (lock screw) on the upper sideplate screw, (#4 or #5 depending on which frame is referenced), was only used on J and K alloy frames (Airweight guns).

Just in case there is still confusion differentiating, the strain screw is the screw on the lower front grip strap. It's to set the strain or tension on the hammer spring in guns that use the leaf hammer spring instead of the coil spring found on late I frames (early 50's) and all J frames. If I've over generalized here someone please set me straight.

Malysh · #26 12-22-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Malysh, I suspect you meant to say bug screw not strain screw. I'm not aware of any of these early J frames made with a leaf spring with strain screw on the front grip strap.

Hondo,
I checked the definition of strain screw and you are completely correct.
I picked up the term here, I guess it was used too casually by others and I did the same. It's definitely not the same as a locking screw or bug screw.
I appreciate you pointing this out as I wasn't aware that the term strain screw and locking screw were not synonyms.
As I said earlier, from now on I am going to refer to them as locking screws.
Thanks very much!

Hondo44 · #27 12-22-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malysh

Hondo,
I checked the definition of strain screw and you are completely correct.
I picked up the term here, I guess it was used too casually by others and I did the same. It's definitely not the same as a locking screw or bug screw.
I appreciate you pointing this out as I wasn't aware that the term strain screw and locking screw were not synonyms.
As I said earlier, from now on I am going to refer to them as locking screws.
Thanks very much!

Malysh,
You bet! Everyone of us learn from this forum! I've learnd a tremendous amount and most of it is not in the books.

jcelect · #28 12-22-2010, 10:49 PM

This is the "bug screw"! That's the little one on top! The gun is a pre 37.

jcelect SWCA#LM723