Since there has been an uptick in reading about LERKS and MERKS, I am once again faced with something that bugs me. In my senior years, things bother me more than they used to. I try not to dwell on issues, but this one will forever dumbfound me. In the past, I have asked where the term LERK comes from and no one knows or will admit they coined the phrase. I only guess is it comes from someone who knew nothing about early S&W HEs.

My simple mind says that if there is a LERK, there has to be a SERK or maybe even a MERK. Let's analyze the facts. The largest ejector rod knob on any lugged barrel S&W was the mushroom shaped knob available from 1902 to 1927. The smaller barrel shaped ejector rod was available from 1927/1928 to early post-WWII and what came after that cannot be called a knob at all, since it was only the knurled end of a solid rod. Size comparisons are below.

Comparisons- - - - Weight - - - - Length - - - - Diameter
Mushroom - - - - - 10.3g - - - - - .3325"- - - - - - .360"
Barrel - - - - - - - - 11.4g - - - - - .3215"- - - - - - .300"

So let's review. The largest knob is mushroom shaped and the only other knob made was barrel shaped, so technically the barrel shaped knob was a SERK and the mushroom shaped knob is a LERK. You know what - I do not like the terms even when they are applied correctly. What suggestions does the collecting community have?

Mine is to contact a university here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that comes out with a list of banished words and terms every year, I think I will submit these for next year's banished terms!

Attached Images

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Why weren't they MERK (mushroom) and BERK (barrel)?

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Bob P.

Gary, we will find the guy that coined these terms.
Im also up in years, and really watch the Ole BP!
Best OLE Mike

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Ask Rdrbill.
I read a very good description between the 3 from him on 1 of these forums.
Explained very well.

I simply call this one an ERK

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

I think that one should be the OMERK ...

... the Often Missing Ejector Rod Knob

Thank you. I was not aware of the MERK.

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Formerly Model520Fan

This whole topic is too much WERK!!! We've hashed it over a bunch of times already, and mostly we end up agreeing to disagree. The main time "LERK" is useful is with post-War revolvers that were the last to use a knob, giving way to knurling on the end of the ejector rod. I for one don't miss them as they make it difficult to tighten or loosen the e-rod when needed... the knurled ones are easy to get the proper tool onto. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, so don't be a JERK and make me go BERSERK on you!

Froggie

BSERK!

Barrel-shaped ejector rod knob.

I’m sorry. I tried to resist posting this but failed.

I believe “LERK” or Large Ejector Rod Knob was created as a description for the early post war K-22 Maseterpiece 3rd models. A small number were produced with large ejectors before the standard ejector rod was used. So “LERK” while applicable to many models of guns...it was simply used to differentiate or describe “transitional” K-22s. As you stated though... we have run wild with our acronyms.

Well, I'll tell you all something. Since I'm new here, and just finally figured out what a LERK is,, I sure as heck would not admit to coining the phrase if I had! Thanks,guys for all the knowledge

You may be new here, Grasshopper, but you show great wisdom! Continue to seek the path of understanding and you will do well.

The Green Frog
(who is STILL learning every day.)

Never hurts to LURK.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

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Regards,
Bruce

I actually believe the correct term is "Jerk"

Let's just boycott all the _erks.

I'm not so lazy I can't type mushroom, barrel or straight ext. rod.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I figure if I shame just a few members into not using these misnomers, my job is done!

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Wonder if the guy who started using the term Cokes got grilled back in the day.

Still trying to find out for sure but isn't triple lock also a term first made up outside of the factory?

LERK, I can take it or leave it.

I learned the term LERK from RKMesa, who also coined it as far as I know. It was meant to be used in one context only -- to distinguish ejector rod styles on the earliest postwar Masterpiece revolvers. It could also be used in the case of the earliest postwar M&Ps, which also appeared in knobbed versions up until sometime in 1947 or 1948, but it's not as consequential a distinction there.

There is no need for MERK, SERK or other terms because there is no other simultaneous use problem to be clarified. All knobs from the introduction of the underlug to partway through 1927 were mushroom knobs. All knobs from then through the end of WWII and slightly beyond were barrel-shaped knobs, except for the knobless two-inch K-frames. After the last barrel-ended rods were used up following WWII, all ejector rods were knobless. Really, there is only a limited postwar period when the knobbed/knobless distinction could or should be made. Even then, the LERK term is perhaps useful only as a shorthand way to communicate a sense of the extra value that some collectors think inheres in the comparatively few Masterpieces fitted with the leftover prewar ejector rods.

This is a two-penny issue that has over the years generated dollars' worth of discussion and misunderstanding. Please! Let's. Just. Stop.

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David Wilson

Not a criticism but rather a point.

If you "get" the term is it unfounded?

Grips or stocks. Who cares? Let's move along; there's nothing to see here.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Many don't get the term and/or confuse LERK. That's why i don't like it. I like to use terms descriptive enough so they don't have to be explained to someone in every thread it's used.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Yes, I am also Irked...but to have such a knob might be a
PERK

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Illegitimi non carborundum

I guess we all have certain words/phrases that bother us. For me it's the use of the word "boolits".

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

Lerk Merk!

Sounds like a hairlip dog.

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SWCA #2420

In the past, I have used the acronym KERT for "Knurled Extractor Rod Tip." And I may have been the only one to do so.

KERT makes a lot more sense than LERK, which should be KNOB.

Because in the period of the early post war which is the only time period that the LERK pertains to, there was no large and small knob; only the Knob and the no knob, or Kert.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

have a nice day.........thank you for your service...........no problem.........

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There's nowt so queer as folk

This Zombie post made me SMERK.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

ARRRRGH!

Henceforth, should we call those members enamored with the ERK terms "ERKELs"? Jus askin......


A few points of clarity-
The barrel first appeared around 1906 with the advent of the N frame, but was abandoned with the 2nd Model.
The barrel reappears in 1926 with the advent of the 44-3rd.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett