A single action only pre-war .22/32 ?

[model3sw]

Is there such a thing as a pre-war 22/32 in single action only ?

Upon examining a .22/32 pre-war target today, I discovered that when the trigger is pulled the hammer dips slightly forward while the cylinder indexes exactly as a factory "single-action only" Model 14 Masterpiece does. This one is a 97% condition .22/32 prewar. I also notice (for the first time in 10 years) the hammer has a bit of an iridescence to it, in addition to the S&W case colors.

Before I go any further by removing the sideplate or spraying oil in the mechanisms, has anyone seen, owned or now owns one that was manufactured or customized to be "single action only".

It just seems so odd that it the hammer dips and the cylinder indexes EXACTLY like the only other Single Action Only (other wise double action model) hand ejector I have ever handled, that being the .38 Masterpiece Model 14 (usually found in the 14-1 to 14-3 models)

[wheelgun610]

Never heard of such an animal, but it wouldn't be the first S&W oddity I never heard of.

My first thoughts would be that either the double action fly was removed - or possibly bound up from congealed oil, or maybe a broken spring....

Either way, I'm curious....

Mark

[Hondo44]

I'm afraid S&W never offered a regular production 22/32 HFT in SA only. That's not to say it couldn't have been special ordered that way, but only a letter may verify that.

More likely, the action was modified aftermarket or just has a worn action. First step is to remove the side plate and determine if the DA "hammer fly" has been removed from the hammer. If so replacing the fly will restore the DA function.

[Hondo44]

The hammer fly can be seen in post #1`fo this thread:
My First Model 1896

In the 3rd photo, it can be seen just to the right of the red circle.