I'm interested to learn more about the older S&W revolvers which I have heard referred to as "long action." In particular, I would like to know how to identify them, in the hope of locating a 22, 38, and a 45 caliber revolver for myself. From reading the "Standard Catalog," it appears that any guns made after 1948, and any guns with an "S" prefix serial number are the newer design "short action" revolvers. The "S" might stand for "short hammer throw," but the references I've seen suggest that it indicates the addition of the hammer-block safety activated by the recoil slide.
Anyway, if anyone would be so kind as to enlighten me, or point me to previous discussions, I would be grateful. Just FYI, I'm not a collector. My intent is to shoot any guns I'm so fortunate as to acquire.
These are K frame revolvers, two long action (pre-war) above a short action (S-series post war). Cocked and fired.
The hammer spurs are different, but look at the firing pin nose to see the different lengths.
The postwar K-series Masterpiece revolvers have the short action. Other K-frame revolvers went to the short action around SN S990xxx, early 1948. N-frame revolvers went to the short action a little later, beginning around SN S78000, ca. 1950. I don't know the exact SN at which the N-frame change occurred, but certainly in the upper S7xxxx range. The hammer shape is a good indicator.
"The "S" might stand for "short hammer throw," but the references I've seen suggest that it indicates the addition of the hammer-block safety activated by the recoil slide."
The S indicates the improved hammer drop safety.
You can tell a long action from a short action just by looking at the hammer spur.
It the spur is located at the top of the hammer, it’s a long action.
If the spur attachment is about half way down, it’s a short action.
Look at the above photos and you’ll see what I mean.
Not to hi-jack this thread, but I have a question to go along with it. The pre-war and 'transitional' N-Frames had the butt slightly longer than the newer ones. Put some later model Magnas on one and you can see the difference, about 1/32 inch or so. Does this longer butt go along with the earlier long- action revolvers, or is there no relationship involved?
The postwar K-series Masterpiece revolvers have the short action. Other K-frame revolvers went to the short action around SN S990xxx, early 1948. N-frame revolvers went to the short action a little later, beginning around SN S78000, ca. 1950. I don't know the exact SN at which the N-frame change occurred, but certainly in the upper S7xxxx range. The hammer shape is a good indicator.
"The "S" might stand for "short hammer throw," but the references I've seen suggest that it indicates the addition of the hammer-block safety activated by the recoil slide."
The S indicates the improved hammer drop safety.
Personally never heard of the "S" postwar serial prefix as relating to "safety" incorporation. True or not???
Just checked my XL and appears my lowest SN 1950 is S77234, in 38/44, pix below. Also throwing pix of it's 'kissin cousin' in Transitional S63663, something at least thousand over first post war SN. Would be interesting to know from members what their lowest N & S frame SN Models 1950 are & chabering! Bill, AKA "Mr 38/44" should likely trump us all in range highs/lows.
The K frames seem another animal. Squirrely! Differing serial ranges for differing models. The M&P seeming to be way high as the Masterpeice series apparently new postwar. (Small number of prewar K frame miniscule but 'there'.) I have a postwar .22 Masterpiece K frame SN in the 10xxx and not really such postwar "low". A Masterpiece .38 Spl in 23xxx range! A first year production K38 Combat Masterpeice in K87xxx range.
Great things about N and S frames, single range regardless of chambering. My 1950 45 ACP in 79xxx range as I recall.
I also use the hammer spur as quick "face recognition" for pre & post Model 1950. Positive!
Last, not least, the getting a grip on the pre/postwar "N" size frames! Hadn't heard of that difficulty, yet having definitely seen ill-fitting grips as described. Apparent factory but tiny bit short. Really how to buy even factory grips... Ensuring covering your butt? A knotty problem! Would also like to hear other (non comedians) comments on this matter!
To fully understand and identify the long to short action introduction, it helps to understand the immediate Post WWII models.
Only K & N frames had the change, not the I and J frames.
Most all models re-introduced after the war are known as Post War Transitional Models. In simplest terms they are Pre war models but with the addition of the post war sliding bar hammer block safety usually, but not always (known as Pre war/Post war Transitionals), with an S prefix but again not always. And will typically have all or many pre war features below, which vary by model, frame size, and production date. As usual with S&Ws exceptions abound: for one, the .38 Military and Police does not have a Transitional Model, because its production was not terminated during the war nor re-introduced after the war.
1. Long action pre war shaped hammer spurs, notched below the hammer nose (firing pin) for new safety block. Note: Short actions have differently shaped post war hammer spurs. Long Action, Short Action?
2. Address and Patent dates on barrel and no barrel rib except K and N frame target models.
3. MADE IN U.S.A. on right front frame instead of the four line address rollmark.
4. Some will still have 'barrel' style extractor knobs with notched barrel, but can have the straight rod with knurled tip.
5. I frame (and K frame in Feb. 1946, first year the postwar civilian K frames left the factory) have Pre war service style (round top) stocks with pre war or post war medallions and/or checkering borders while later K frames and all N frames have pre or post war Magnas.
6. Satin blue finish unless bright blue option was special ordered.
7. Target models have post war Micro Click rear sights and barrel ribs, except for the 1946 K38 Target 'Mexican Model' which has the pre war Micro Click sight assembly, and I frame targets which have pre war sights.
The next step in the post war evolution were the "dated" models, which have the short action. Often referred to as the Pre models because they have the same engineering design improvements of the model # stamped versions following the model # designations mid 1957 (although not actually stamped until ~1958).
For example: the K Targets beginning in 1948 as I recall, the N frames in 1950.
The S prefix in the serial number, on both K and N frame revolvers specifically denotes the use of the new sliding hammer block safety. This started on the K frames during Victory Model production, specifically in December, 1944, with shipments beginning in January, 1945.
When postwar production of N frame revolvers started in the late 1940s, the new safety was included in the design and was denoted by the S prefix. Until March, 1948, the M&P got the long action hammer but had the new safety device. That is precisely why the serial number carried an S prefix. It had nothing whatever to do with the length of drop of the hammer.
I would note in response to one of the replies in this thread that there is no such thing as an "S frame" revolver.
Posted by Hondo44
Quote:
I frame( and K frame in March, 1946, the first year the postwar civilian K frames left the factory) have Pre war service style (round top) stocks with pre war or post war medallions and/or checkering borders while later K frames and all N frames have pre or post war Magnas.
I have a ton of respect for Jim, but this statement is in error. In my research on the immediate postwar M&P, I have looked at literally thousands of S prefix M&Ps. I do not believe any were shipped with prewar service stocks (non-Magna) except for the round butt 2" guns. The earliest postwar shipped guns, Feb-April, 1946, mostly shipped with prewar style Magna stocks. Those lasted only into April, and were replaced with the earliest postwar iteration of the Magna stocks (the difference is in the checkering).
Incidentally, in my immediately preceding post, I wrote:
Quote:
The earliest postwar shipped guns, Feb-April, 1946
I have identified exactly one shipment in February. Regular shipments began on March 1, 1946.
The February shipment was to fill a large order for the Cleveland Police Department. Interestingly, those guns were serialized in the S815xxx range.
For comparison, one of the guns that went out the door on the First of March was an SV prefix revolver, serialized as SV811119. Oddly enough, we know when this one was assembled - August 27, 1945. It sat in the vault for a while!
On March 3, a shipment of 800 M&P revolvers went to a large distributor in New York City. Half of them had 4" barrels and half had 5" barrels. At least some of them carried the SV prefix serial numbers below 800,000.
I have a ton of respect for Jim, but this statement is in error. In my research on the immediate postwar M&P, I have looked at literally thousands of S prefix M&Ps. I do not believe any were shipped with prewar service stocks (non-Magna) except for the round butt 2" guns. The earliest postwar shipped guns, Feb-April, 1946, mostly shipped with prewar style Magna stocks. Those lasted only into April, and were replaced with the earliest postwar iteration of the Magna stocks (the difference is in the checkering).
Jack (M&P guru),
Good clarification. Being a side issue from the main point of my post, 'Long vs. Short Action', trying to generalize and minimize text.
These are K frame revolvers, two long action (pre-war) above a short action (S-series post war). Cocked and fired.
The hammer spurs are different, but look at the firing pin nose to see the different lengths.
When did the action change on the "S" series post war M&P revolvers. This is my 1947 "S" and has the long action.
Apologizing in advance for any thread drift, but the OP also said he was maybe hoping to find a 22, 38, etc. and wanted to know short vs long action terminology. I'm still a newbie around here so I'm always learning, usually something new every time I log on.
Below pics are my K 22 Masterpiece that letters shipping August 12, 1947 (invoice is probably a typo showing 1946 in the description). So it is truly an "early post war". The serial number is K905, and the stocks number to the gun. According to Roy's Letter, the K22 Masterpiece started in February 1947 with s/n K101. Please note that the Letter doesn't describe the Call gold bead on the Patridge front sight, nor does it describe anything about the hammer, or action.
Some questions for the experts: I've heard the hammer on my gun described as a "fish hook" hammer, associated with the "short" action. I've also heard (more often than "short") that this style action was known as High Speed Action. Are both terms collector speak, or factory advertising of the time? The Magnas have silver medallions, the gun is a one line address, and the LERK feature is present.
Above posts indicate that post war K frames were shipping as early as Feb/March 1946, yet Roy's Letter indicates the K22 Masterpiece didn't start until Feb 1947. Does this mean only M&P's in 38 Special were shipping in 1946?
Again...sorry for any drift, just trying to understand the terminology of the times so I can spot treasures as they come to light every now and then.
This discussion is both informative and entertaining. Thank you.
From what I can gather, the least expensive way for me to get my feet wet with pre-War S&W revolvers is to look for a Military and Police 38 Special. Would you agree that this would be a good first gun for a neophyte?
Thanks, Tom
P.s. I'm waiting on the BATFE to act on my C&R application. When it arrives, would a forum WTB ad be a good way to initiate my search?
Below pics are my K 22 Masterpiece that letters shipping August 12, 1947 (invoice is probably a typo showing 1946 in the description). So it is truly an "early post war". The serial number is K905, and the stocks number to the gun. According to Roy's Letter, the K22 Masterpiece started in February 1947 with s/n K101. Please note that the Letter doesn't describe the Call gold bead on the Patridge front sight, nor does it describe anything about the hammer, or action.
Some questions for the experts: I've heard the hammer on my gun described as a "fish hook" hammer, associated with the "short" action. I've also heard (more often than "short") that this style action was known as High Speed Action. Are both terms collector speak, or factory advertising of the time? The Magnas have silver medallions, the gun is a one line address, and the LERK feature is present.
Above posts indicate that post war K frames were shipping as early as Feb/March 1946, yet Roy's Letter indicates the K22 Masterpiece didn't start until Feb 1947. Does this mean only M&P's in 38 Special were shipping in 1946?
Ag
There were at least a few K-22s which left the factory in late 1946 for special people. General Julian Hatcher's was one of them. The postwar M&Ps began shipping in early 1946, and they were Victory military revolvers made up of components remaining in inventory at V-J day, but finished commercially, with commercial grips, and sold on the civilian market.
The so-called "Fish Hook" hammer style was used until the early-mid 1950s (depending on model) on short action K-frame guns. S&W referred to them as the High- Speed Hammer. Some call them the "Speed Hammer" but that is incorrect.
Allegedly, the first M&P with short action was S990148 on April 7, 1948.
Date is correct, but I believe you transposed the last two digits of the serial number. The correct number is S990184.
Interestingly, there was a much earlier M&P assembled with the high speed hammer. It was serial number S924878, and it was assembled on October 21, 1947. I believe it was a prototype, and production of the changed model began the following April, as noted above.
The information on this gun comes from Hellstrom's notes, which are roughly contemporary with the actions described.
myy K 22 Masterpiece that letters shipping August 12, 1947 (invoice is probably a typo showing 1946 in the description). So it is truly an "early post war".
According to the best information we have at present, there were only two K-22 Masterpiece revolvers shipped in 1946, both of them in December. Regular shipments began two months later, as you learned from Roy. Throughout 1947, the vast majority of K target guns assembled and shipped were K-22s. The K-38 came late to the party. The first five were assembled in June, 1947, with full production beginning in May, 1948 (320 examples were completed that month).
Quote:
Above posts indicate that post war K frames were shipping as early as Feb/March 1946, yet Roy's Letter indicates the K22 Masterpiece didn't start until Feb 1947. Does this mean only M&P's in 38 Special were shipping in 1946?
In a word, yes. For the first several months after civilian sales began, only the M&P was actually available for shipment, and pent up demand was huge. Early on, some large city police departments were among the big purchasers. I've already mentioned Cleveland (in February), but another was the NYPD. I show one shipment to the New York agency on March 19, 1946.
Incidentally, in my immediately preceding post, I wrote:
I have identified exactly one shipment in February. Regular shipments began on March 1, 1946.
The February shipment was to fill a large order for the Cleveland Police Department. Interestingly, those guns were serialized in the S815xxx range.
For comparison, one of the guns that went out the door on the First of March was an SV prefix revolver, serialized as SV811119. Oddly enough, we know when this one was assembled - August 27, 1945. It sat in the vault for a while!
On March 3, a shipment of 800 M&P revolvers went to a large distributor in New York City. Half of them had 4" barrels and half had 5" barrels. At least some of them carried the SV prefix serial numbers below 800,000.
Not sure if this is relevant but I sold a set of K frame service grips a while back that had a 82xxxx serial number on the back. I remember because it seemed a pretty high number to me.
Also not to make things even more confusing
You could buy a K22 Masterpiece in 1940 that is short action.
I'll try to comment on your post no 17 above, at least from my standpoint as an "accumulator" of firearms, more than a purist collector. I also love to shoot, mostly range time these days as age and dexterity don't allow much true hunting anymore. I got my first CCW Permit in New York shortly after I came home from Army in 1968 and I've had a FFL 03 (Curios & Relics) for many years now.
As to your intended situation, you ask for an "inexpensive" way to get into pre-war, long action S&W's. My experience is that this is a moderate to highly expensive category to start out with, especially if you're a shooter more than a collector
Most guns in this category are already "collector quality" simply because of age, and if in semi decent condition, will usually start at 4 figures and go up. True also is that a lot of these guns have no replacement part(s) availability at all, so they become safe queens. Some of my guns in this category are:
1899 US Army, 1 of 1000, 38 Special (March 29, 1901)
22/32 Hand Ejector (April 20, 1915), 22LR
K22 1st Model, Outdoorsman, (1931)
K22 Masterpiece, (1947) (pics posted in above post)
Then we have the wartime Victory Models, mine is a Dec 17, 1942, US Navy 38 Special. Even these Victories when found in decent condition are "climbing in price"
Lastly, like you I like to shoot, and so does my family so rather than shoot the "collectibles" I just kept on acquiring more modern Smith's and enjoy everyone of them. I find that most "modern" (post 1958) Model stamped S & W's are still reasonable (meaning at or under $1000) and are meant to be shot all day long..everything from 22 right up to 44 Magnum, in all sorts of condition from no finish left to pristine with box and tools. Currently, your C & R will allow you to buy guns that are 50 years old or older, provided you deal with another C&R holder, or an 01 FFL that will sell to your C & R.
Some good examples in my opinion are Model 10 (basically M&P) 38 Special, fixed sights, 4" traditional police revolver, or even the stainless version, Model 65. Both available around my area for $400 - $500 in top condition.
Sorry for the long ramble but it just hasn't been my experience to find pre-war guns in decent condition for "inexpensive" prices, although I certainly do not know your situation.
Whatever you obtain, remember...we love pictures! Np picture...it didn't really happen.
Short/Long action refers to the distance the hammer falls--------and more particularly to the amount of time it takes to fall. Less time is a distinct advantage to those who shoot between heart beats---------or so I'm told. The "High-Speed" lingo refers to the advantage of the short action.
There are three actions within the hand ejector family---long, short, and shorter yet to be found on the Single Action K-38-----which was born with the name Short Action Single Action K-38. The short action on the SAO K-38 is approximately 24% shorter than that on it's regular, everyday cousin.
All that said, I don't know anybody---never have known anybody who can take advantage of the difference in hammer fall time-------------but they're out there----------somewhere.
Ralph Tremaine
As an aside, those folks out there-----somewhere, can shoot pretty much the same groups at 25 and 50 yards standing on their hind legs and holding their gun with one hand as you can----seated, with two hands on a rest holding the gun. (!!)
I only have one long action, a 1920-22 M&P. One thing I notice is there’s a pin visible below the cylinder thin release on the long action and not on the short. Also I notice quite a different feel to the action when shooting double action.
The second shot is my late 1948 to early 49 M&P with satin finish and short action. Would this have been an early K frame short action M&P?
According to the best information we have at present, there were only two K-22 Masterpiece revolvers shipped in 1946, both of them in December. Regular shipments began two months later, as you learned from Roy. Throughout 1947, the vast majority of K target guns assembled and shipped were K-22s. The K-38 came late to the party. The first five were assembled in June, 1947, with full production beginning in May, 1948 (320 examples were completed that month).
In a word, yes. For the first several months after civilian sales began, only the M&P was actually available for shipment, and pent up demand was huge. Early on, some large city police departments were among the big purchasers. I've already mentioned Cleveland (in February), but another was the NYPD. I show one shipment to the New York agency on March 19, 1946.
There was another big shipment to the NYPD in October of 1946. I own one of the guns in that shipment.
I only have one long action, a 1920-22 M&P. One thing I notice is there’s a pin visible below the cylinder thin release on the long action and not on the short. Also I notice quite a different feel to the action when shooting double action.
The second shot is my late 1948 to early 49 M&P with satin finish and short action. Would this have been an early K frame short action M&P?
I don't know what you mean by a "different feel", but the hammer fall is shorter (both distance and time) double action than single action---simply because two different sears are involved.
Ralph Tremaine
Given a moment to think about it (and very likely to come up with the wrong answer), the trigger pull is most assuredly different---and that's because you're compressing two different springs double action---and just one single action------and you're not compressing what I'll call the single action spring hardly at all.
I only have one long action, a 1920-22 M&P. One thing I notice is there’s a pin visible below the cylinder thin release on the long action and not on the short. Also I notice quite a different feel to the action when shooting double action.
The second shot is my late 1948 to early 49 M&P with satin finish and short action. Would this have been an early K frame short action M&P?
Yes, your snubbie has the short action.
The easiest way to tell long vs short action-the hammer spur is at the top of the hammer in a long action S&W.
This discussion is both informative and entertaining. Thank you.
From what I can gather, the least expensive way for me to get my feet wet with pre-War S&W revolvers is to look for a Military and Police 38 Special. Would you agree that this would be a good first gun for a neophyte?
Thanks, Tom
P.s. I'm waiting on the BATFE to act on my C&R application. When it arrives, would a forum WTB ad be a good way to initiate my search?
Tom,
To answer your question directly I would recommend finding a 38 M&P, Model of 1905, 4th change. They are very common, because they made a lot of them, and some really nice examples can be found for sale. That's not to mention that they are great revolvers for the money spent.
In keeping with the spirit of this thread I'll mention that I copied Jim and Jack's posts for my further reference. Great information.
So, since this occurred long before the internet, was there much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the change to the short action? Or the incorporation of the sliding safety?
So, since this occurred long before the internet, was there much wailing and gnashing of teeth over the change to the short action? Or the incorporation of the sliding safety?
Kevin
The US Navy sure didn't like the old hammer block.
I only have one long action, a 1920-22 M&P. One thing I notice is there’s a pin visible below the cylinder thin release on the long action and not on the short.
The pin you refer to below the cylinder release thumb piece is actually the hammer pivot stud. Both of your guns have it of course and it’s not related to the long/short action. You see it on the long action because it’s threaded. It just coincidentally changed to a pressed in stud polished flush about the same time as the action change. You can see the pressed in stud with good light and magnification.
The pin you refer to below the cylinder release thumb piece is actually the hammer pivot stud.
You see it on the long action because it’s threaded. It just coincidentally changed to a pressed in stud polished flush about the same time as the action change.
Correct. Here is some additional detail
The management order to change the hammer pivot stud from a threaded unit to a pressed unit was issued on January 18, 1946. It was not implemented immediately. The earliest unit with the pressed stud that I have found in my research shipped in April, 1946.
The short action on the M&P was initiated in March, 1948. It first appeared on revolver #S990184, which shipped on April 7, 1948. One apparent prototype was assembled on October 21, 1947, according to Hellstrom's notes. It is unknown whether that gun actually shipped.
The management order to change the hammer pivot stud from a threaded unit to a pressed unit was issued on January 18, 1946. It was not implemented immediately. The earliest unit with the pressed stud that I have found in my research shipped in April, 1946.
The short action on the M&P was initiated in March, 1948. It first appeared on revolver #S990184, which shipped on April 7, 1948. One apparent prototype was assembled on October 21, 1947, according to Hellstrom's notes. It is unknown whether that gun actually shipped.
Does this mean that M&P K-frames, with the S serial number prefix, made between 1946 and 1948, had the long action trigger with no visible pivot stud?
Or am I reading something into this post that isn't there??
Does this mean that M&P K-frames, with the S serial number prefix, made between 1946 and 1948, had the long action trigger with no visible pivot stud?
Pete
The S prefix M&Ps had the threaded hammer stud until c. April, 1946. After that, they had the pressed stud, polished flat on the outside of the frame.
From the first postwar shipment in February, 1946, until c. March/April, 1948, they had the long action. After that, most of them had the High Speed hammer. A few later units still had the long action.
The 5" unit on top shipped in March, 1946. It has the threaded stud. The 4" revolver on the bottom shipped in April, 1946. It has the pressed stud.
You will also notice that the earlier gun has prewar style Magna stocks (yes, they number to the gun). The later (4") revolver has the first style postwar Magnas.
Does this mean that M&P K-frames, with the S serial number prefix, made between 1946 and 1948, had the long action trigger with no visible pivot stud?
Or am I reading something into this post that isn't there??
Pete, forget about the hammer stud to differentiate the long and short action. Focus on the hammer: long action has a pre war style hammer as shown above in Guy’s and Jack’s posts. The short action has the modern looking hammer with spur lower down on back of hammer Miley Gil described above (the High Speed hammer Jack referenced).
Narrow spur on fixed sight guns, semi wide spur on target guns.
The first short throw hammer shown in strawhat’s post #23, photo #2 ended about 1955, replaced by the current hammer, the target version of which is shown in photos #3 & 4.
Pete, forget about the hammer stud to differentiate the long and short action. Focus on the hammer: long action has a pre war style hammer as shown above in Guy’s and Jack’s posts. The short action has the modern looking hammer with spur lower down on back of hammer Miley Gil described above (the High Speed hammer Jack referenced).
Narrow spur on fixed sight guns, semi wide spur on target guns.
Thanks, got it. I am reasonably certain I can identify the latter, not so much the former, because I have handled so few. Meaning, few guns made before 1950, and fewer still made before WWII. I don't think I am alone in that,
I'm interested to learn more about the older S&W revolvers which I have heard referred to as "long action." In particular, I would like to know how to identify them, in the hope of locating a 22, 38, and a 45 caliber revolver for myself. From reading the "Standard Catalog," it appears that any guns made after 1948, and any guns with an "S" prefix serial number are the newer design "short action" revolvers. The "S" might stand for "short hammer throw," but the references I've seen suggest that it indicates the addition of the hammer-block safety activated by the recoil slide.
Anyway, if anyone would be so kind as to enlighten me, or point me to previous discussions, I would be grateful. Just FYI, I'm not a collector. My intent is to shoot any guns I'm so fortunate as to acquire.
Thanks, Tom
The "S" prefix denotes the new safety mechanism introduced after WW2. It's the floating bar instead of the spring loaded bar in the sideplate.
I have an "S" prefix 38/44 Heavy Duty with the long action, so they definitely exist. MOST of the S prefix guns fall into the short action but some transitional models still have the long action.
The 5" unit on top shipped in March, 1946. It has the threaded stud. The 4" revolver on the bottom shipped in April, 1946. It has the pressed stud.
You will also notice that the earlier gun has prewar style Magna stocks (yes, they number to the gun). The later (4") revolver has the first style postwar Magnas.
Both have the long action, of course.
Thanks! That's a really good example. I believe one similar to your 4" gun is sitting in a friend's safe. I think he considers it to be the end of wartime Victory production, and start of civillian sales. The s/n is in the S98x... range, with a bit more muzzle and cylinder wear. I'll direct his attention to this thread!
I believe one similar to your 4" gun is sitting in a friend's safe. I think he considers it to be the end of wartime Victory production, and start of civillian sales. The s/n is in the S98x... range
Thanks, Pete
In the S98xxxx serial range, it would have shipped in the February to August, 1948 period. The majority of them in that serial range left the factory from March to July, 1948. Since C1 was produced in March, 1948, the rest of the S prefix guns were either already in the vault awaiting shipment or just had not yet been assembled from available parts.
You can advise him that, at S98xxxx, it really isn't very near to "the end of wartime Victory production." It is a couple years later.
In the S98xxxx serial range, it would have shipped in the February to August, 1948 period. The majority of them in that serial range left the factory from March to July, 1948. Since C1 was produced in March, 1948, the rest of the S prefix guns were either already in the vault awaiting shipment or just had not yet been assembled from available parts.
You can advise him that, at S98xxxx, it really isn't very near to "the end of wartime Victory production." It is a couple years later.
He will be happy to hear that. I think he said it might have been in his family since ~48-49 if I remember correctly, but did not know for certain.
I'll probably get thrown out of the discussion because the point I'll make came well after the war.
The factory SAO K fames and factory SAO conversions had an even shorter throw, for quicker "lock time" for SAO target matches. I believe you can see the difference when looking at each, side by side.
Long vs. Short Action
Would also like to hear other (non comedians) comments on this matter!
...Ben
Linear Mode
