I recently added a model pre-12 Airweight to my collection of snubbies. This one still has the original matching s/n alloy cylinder. I'll take some pics soon and post them.

Does anyone know what the production numbers were for the pre-12's? This one shipped in October of 1953.

Based on the fact that many were returned to the factory for replacement steel cylinders and others "blew up" or frames cracked... any idea of survival numbers for these alloy cylinder models?

Thanks!

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

I don't any answer's to your question, but very interested to hear from others.

Here's mine in the same Alum cyl config.





Charlie

Linda: Most of the early ones I have seen still retain their alloy cylinders. I've had 1/2 doz of these over the last 20 years and they all had slightly deminished finishes, but retained the original cylinders. I wonder how many were actually returned to the factory.

I wonder more how many really "blew up" or otherwise sustained damage in normal use with ordinary ammunition. Despite the gospel that has been handed down over the years on how unsafe it is to shoot these (including both the K- & J-frame Airweights), I've yet to see actually documented a single failure, either catastrophic or minor, attributable to the cylinder's alloy construction.

I solicited any anecdotes to this effect in a thread back in July (Chiefs Special Airweight Question) with nothing conclusive coming of it.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

I have to say that I am NOT a "Safe Queen" fan at all, but when it comes to the vulnerable aluminum M12's I would probably not shoot it much and if I did I would use some wimpy hand loads.

Chief38

I too have only heard the myths. In observation all the damaged guns I've seen had cumulative damage like cracks; none were catostrophic failures! I'm not saying there weren't any and if there are you know those would normally be kept to hang on gunshop walls as conversation pieces, right?

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Jim
S&WCA #819