Is there any interesting historical story or engineering rationale behind the use of the top strap cylinder lock in this model? My relatively meager S&W collection contains only a couple of examples of older models and they both have the more conventional lower frame cylinder lock.

Smith’s original revolvers were the tip ups which all had the top strap cyl locking bolt. When Smith designed the 1896, they’re first hand ejector and first double action, I speculate that all the complications of those two new features in the lower part of the frame caused them to go back to the tried and true top strap cyl stop.

Recognize Colt had their DA small solid frame Lightening model on the market 20 years plus already. Smith was in a hurry! They probably were already working on the model 1903 with conventional cyl stop lock in bottom of the frame window at the same time.

It was all about gaining a leg up on the competition and getting a new product to the market place ASAP.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have 2 "I" frame Smith &Wesson revolvers in .32 Long . #1 is a Nickel plated (100% condition) 6 shot with 4 1/2 inch barrel which appears to have never been fired . Bore and cylinder are clean as well as forcing cone with no residue. Top of barrel has two lines, #1 SMITH&WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.U.S.A.PATD, 2nd line OCT.8.01.DEC.17.01.FEB.6.06.SEPT.14.09.DEC.29.14. Serial number is 286735 stamped on front of grip frame, barrel and cylinder are stamped with same number, wooden grips with S&W logo in gold and serial number is penciled inside right grip. Cylinder stop is at bottom of frame. Ejector rod has barrel shape at end barrel has stop in front of same and barrel is cut to accomodate same Smith& Wesson #2 is Blued with barrel cut behind where front sight should be. It is a 6shot .32 long ctg stamped on right side of barrel. There is 3 lines stamped on top of barrel. Line #1 SMITH&WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.U.S.A. Line #2 PATD MARCH 27.94.AUG 4.96.DEC.22.96.DEC.22.96.Line3# OCT.01.01.Feb.8.06.SEPT.14.09. Serial number is 228225 stamped on butt, barrel, rear of cylinder and inside of right grip. Bluing is 100% except where barrel is cut, cylinder stop is at bottom of inside of frame. Ejector rod is barrel shaped and barrel has stop positioned in front of same with barrel cut to accomodate same. NOTE: I AM LOOKIN FOR A 4 1/2 INCH BARREL TO REPLACE THE CUT BARREL SO IS THERE ANYONE IN THE FORUM WHO COULD HELP? My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanks, Jim. I bet you are completely correct about them hurrying things along to better compete with Colt. I was just wondering because S&W did produce (I think!) 32, 38, and 44 DA revolvers in the 1880's, and they all had their locks on the bottom. By the late '80s, even the Safety Hammerless models with their bottom locks were out. These revolvers were all top-breaks, though, so I guess a top lock would have been real tricky. Thanks again for your answer.

You’re very welcome.

Just FYI, the safety hammerless was still available into the late 1930’s, at least in 32 cal. I have one.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I guess the top strap cylinder lock is considered to be an inferior locking mechanism,and, yeah, I can understand. I have fired an 1896 a fair amount, however, with no problems. Take a good, close look, if you haven't before, at how it works when you cycle the action. It is an amazing little piece of the mechanism, and one of the reasons I feel I can still admire obsolete guns. My 1896 has a 6-inch barrel and groups less than inch at 7 yds. Interestingly, it shoots 32 S&W (shorts) with about the same accuracy. If you have done some shooting with your HE Model 1, I would like to know the results.