What is this pin?

bluetopper · #1 09-26-2020, 01:09 PM

Just this past week I acquired my first five screw and my first pre-war Smith and Wesson. What spurred me to get one is lurking on this hand ejector forum for a good while. Anyway, after getting it home and really giving it a go over I noticed a pin between the trademark and the stock on the left side that I never had seen before on a S&W. What is the purpose of this pin? Thank you.

Wiregrassguy · #2 09-26-2020, 01:22 PM

The pin closest to the stock is the rebound slide stud. Before World War II, that stud screwed in. The stud up next to the thumb latch is for the hammer. After World War II , these were changed to pressed in studs and Polished flat.

Guy

Hondo44 · #3 09-26-2020, 03:32 PM

On your post war S&Ws the Magna or Target left side grip must be removed to see the pin polished flush to the frame. And you might need magnification to see it.

daddio202 · #4 09-26-2020, 04:54 PM

Nice gun you found (possibly too nice to start carrying and wear down) but it s your gun to do with what you want. When looking for and buying pre war guns or very early post war guns, that little stud is am important indicator. These will always be doomed shaped and usually raise above the surface. If it does not look exactly like yours then the gun has probably been refinished. Usually they are buffed flat with surface during refinishing. So if you want original finish guns (a refinish completely kills collector value) look at that pin first to check for originality of finish. Enjoy

Hondo44 · #5 09-26-2020, 05:37 PM

However, if the a pre war gun is refinished by the factory before the war, the stud is removed and will remain domed.

But if factory refinished after WWII, the factory will polish it flat like all post WWII new guns.

JP@AK · #6 09-26-2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

The stud up next to the thumb latch is for the hammer.

Its actual name is "hammer pivot stud." Yours is the old threaded type.

Quote:

After World War II , these were changed to pressed in studs and Polished flat.

Correct. The change order was issued on January 18, 1946. It appears to have taken a couple months to implement the change, since the earliest examples with the pressed-in stud that I can find, shipped in April, 1946. Interestingly, the lowest serial numbered guns (two of them) exhibiting this change didn't leave the factory until June, 1946.

bluetopper · #7 09-27-2020, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio202

Nice gun you found (possibly too nice to start carrying and wear down) but it s your gun to do with what you want. When looking for and buying pre war guns or very early post war guns, that little stud is am important indicator. These will always be doomed shaped and usually raise above the surface. If it does not look exactly like yours then the gun has probably been refinished. Usually they are buffed flat with surface during refinishing. So if you want original finish guns (a refinish completely kills collector value) look at that pin first to check for originality of finish. Enjoy

Thanks for the insight regarding the domed pin and future purchases of which I’m sure there will be after experiencing the pride of ownership of this 38 M&P target of 1920 vintage. There will be no carrying and wearing down of anything although it has just enough wear and character to make it a shooter without feeling guilty about doing so which is exactly what I was looking for. I discovered yesterday it will group as good as the best I have with my wadcutter reloads at 25 yds. I’m happy.

Muley Gil · #8 09-27-2020, 11:42 AM

Just noticed that you have a target model. ENJOY!