I have a need to know exactly what tools were put in with new revolvers from 1940-1947? What were the brushes made of, steel or brass, and when did they start putting mops in with the rods?
Thanks. Big Larry, collector.

Quoting from SCSW 4th:

"Screwdrivers - or 'sight adjustment tools' 1940-1948: Nickel knurled-handled screwdriver with black oxide shaft, long tapered end and wider blade. Because these 9and the following blue steel version below) are most often seen with post WWII guns these are assumed to be post-war screwdrivers. We believe this to be incorrect as these were designed for the first set of the micrometer sights fitted to the pre WWII 2nd Model K-22's. Guide price $100 but seldom seen."

"Cleaning rods or 'wipers': From the late 1800's S&W boxes generally contained a brass rod with flat slotted tip on one end. The other end was curved into a circular handle. In the early 1920's the working end was changed to a threaded hole to accept a screw in mop, brush or cleaning jag (My edit: I couldn't find a reference to the timeline regarding what came with when). Sometime pre WWII the material was changed to steel. Post WWII these cleaning rods were always made of aluminum."

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Thank you Sir, but I got that limited info out of my S&W book as well. Don't need info on SAT's. Info one the type of brush and when the Mops came into being. Thanks again. Big Larry

I don't know of any source with the info you need. But looking at many photos of guns with original tools I can give you some general observations.

Pre war brushes with a twisted wire handle and black non-metallic bristle and twisted wire mops were the norm and may have extended thru or started transitioning to the tools shown below for commercially shipped models by 1940 and during the war or not till the end of the war.

"Photo of the accessories that would have been shipped with a .38 caliber target revolver in 1947 (note brush with no loop on the end). The same accessories were used through the early 1950s for all target models except the cleaning rod was changed from steel to aluminum.

Note also that both the mop and brush used brass, not yet aluminum." Bill (Doc44)


Photo by Bill (Doc44)

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks Bill. Those are the exact tools that are in the box with my 1947 K22. I also have an early pre M15 that came with the original tools. I just wondered about my 1940 M&P. Someday I hope to find an original box and tools for it. It is a Sacramento PD revolver. Thanks again Sir. Big Larry

Larry,

I'm Jim but I gave Bill credit for his info.

Here's a pre war K22 which likely came w/twisted wire brush as well and would be what your M&P came with except the SAT.


Photo by Richard (RKmesa)

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Thanks again. I have seen the twisted wire brush and the same with the mop and SAT in the early 22 Outdoorsman. When I bought my Outdoorsman the seller wanted an extra $1,500 for the tools on top of the $2,250 I paid for the revolver. The gun was minty and I got the box. Thanks for the info. Big Larry