I removed the side plate on my 1948 K 38 Masterpiece that I received a couple of weeks ago to clean the insides and found the hammer block is missing.

Numrich has one for a model 14 listed as "current style".

Is the hammer block for an early K 38 interchangeable with other K frames?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks
Phil

Yes, it will fit.

But if you send me a PM with your address, I'll mail you one. No charge.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes, but of the same vintage.

"current style" is worrisome. Have to check with Smith.

Tried Jack First parts?

Some member will likely send you one. Post want ad in classifieds section.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I think all K-frame hammer blocks are identical. Not sure if they are the same as the N-frame hammer blocks. It's just an additional belt-and-suspenders safety, and the revolver can be used without it if it doesn't bother you to do so. Prior to 1945, there were no hammer blocks.

To clarify a statement made in a later posting, I was referring the the type of hammer block you are missing. There is another type of hammer block used on earlier revolvers in the form of the rebound slide which also locks the hammer in such a way as to prevent the firing pin from striking a primer if the gun is dropped. There was an instance during WWII in which a sailor dropped his revolver on the deck and it discharged, killing him. The 1945 supplemental hammer block was developed as a result of that accident to prevent future incidents of that nature. The earlier rebound slide drop safety was retained, not replaced, so there are actually two redundant drop safety mechanisms in place for post-1944 K-frame revolvers.

Problem solved.

Love this place.

Thanks Muley Gil

DWalt: there certainly were hammer blocks before 1945! the hammer block patent was issued on 29 Dec 1014. There ere two types of hammer blocks used prior to 1944/45, but thry wer not as positive in action as the one developed late in WWII and used until the present.

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Tom
1560

Tom,

I believe DWalt meant in the context of the post war sliding bar safety..they're all the same design which is true.

My only concern with the current issue is they're MIM guns. Although I don't have a lot of experience with them, those I've worked on do have some slight changes to some parts. But maybe not the sliding bar.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The "K" and "N" use different sized 'hammer block'