"Transitional" revolvers... Let's see your pictures!

[TDC]

I'd like to see a thread showing all the various examples of models produced during the "Transitional" period.... those revolvers lacking either a recessed cylinder on the magnum or rim fire models or a pinned barrel on all models.

Many retained the same dash number but were missing one or the other of the earlier features as S&W exhausted their parts inventory.

Here is one of mine.... An unpinned "No-dash" Mod 60. Let's see some pictures of yours!

[paplinker]

O boy This can get tricky.

Many people including I think of transitions as post war guns with prewar features before those parts were phased out.

Many variations on the post war stuff i do find interesting. I have two 19-3s. One with the gas ring on the cylinder and one on thats the yoke.
Sorry no pics of the difference.

[P-229]

TDC,

I like that Model 60. Might be because I have one ;-) It's an easy gun to conceal. With the FBI load, it's a whole lot better than many others.

[Engine49guy]

S&W didnt make it easy for future collectors and why Rule No#1 with S&W is "Nothing is absolute with S&W" ;

IIRC the deletion of the barrel set pin did not warrant a revision change in the Model 60 as the non pinned version was essentially the same gun (sans set pin) , The non pinned Model 60 also had a fairly long run from 1982 - 1988 so is not really a "Transitional Gun" IMO.
This is also seen in such models as the 15-4, 14-4, 17-4, 18-4 etc where the early ones are pinned and the later versions are not.

Sometimes a revision change indicates a different model such as when the 3" HB Model 36-1 was introduced but other times it indicates a part was changed, For example late Model 27-2's are observed with recessed cylinders and no barrel set pin but the same gun with a non recessed cylinder is marked as a 27-3 as the cylinder is a different part.

On a side note the 60-1 was a HB 3" SB (basically a SS version of the 36-1 HB ).
The 60-2 was a DAO version made for the NYPD ( internal parts change) ,
The 60-3 revision identifies the new yoke retention system (parts change).

[TDC]

Well….. I don’t possess a Ph.D in S&W and don’t intend to seek one.

This thread is simply seeking pictures of the various models of revolvers that were produced during the early 80’s, that no longer had a pinned barrel or a recessed cylinder when they used to have, yet still retained the same dash number as one with a recessed cylinder and/or a pinned barrel.

These revolvers are most commonly referred to as “Transitional” firearms from that early 1980’s period by many long term and knowledgeable collectors I know and respect. I include myself as one of them.

As there is no authoritative definition of what a “Transitional” gun is from that period I guess we are free to call or define them as anything we wish….

If you believe your revolver fits my definition of a “Transitional” please post its picture here.

Thanks!

[CWH44300]

Only one transitional in my herd.
It marked MOD6291, pinned but non recessed.

For some reason this is the only photo I have of it alone, wearing smooth skull crackers.

[long colt frazier]

I've got this Transitional.
Mark

[ejjeff]

Would this be considered transitional? Recessed cylinder but no pinned barrel. 28-2

[CWH44300]

Originally Posted by ejjeff

Would this be considered transitional? Recessed cylinder but no pinned barrel. 28-2

It would Indeed

[Engine49guy]

So many variables make it a bit confusing especially when the SCSW says the N and K magnums go from P&R to non P&R in a new revision change,
Problem is the old Rule No#1 "There are No Rules with S&W" and S&W didnt waste good parts so we see N and K Magnums with recessed cylinders and non pinned barrels , those would still have the old revision number as the new cylinder had not come into use yet .

On a side note the L frame .357's were introduced Non P&R.

The K-38, K-32, J-38 and J-32 are a different story as they never had recessed cylinders so when S&W stopped pinning the barrels no revision change was necessary until the new yoke retention system was introduced around 1988.

The K-22 and J-22's are similar but in the opposite way because they never stopped getting recessed cylinders (even up to current production) likewise the barrel pin deletion also did not warrant a new revision since no parts changed until the new yoke retention system in 1988 .

Here are a few of what your looking for:
First is this 19-4 snub that was overstamped as a 19-5 with a 250K serial prefix (1983-85?) No barrel set pin and non recessed cylinder ,
my guess is the frames were made up first and stamped as 19-4's but when this one reached the cylinder fitting point the supply of recessed cylinders was depleted so it was overstamped as a 19-5 and fit with the new non recessed cylinder (BTW this gun had a groove cut in its barrel for a barrel set pin when disassembled ).
19-5 (L) with 19-7 K Comp.


Next is this non pinned Model 67-1 (L) Serial AHY 62xx shipped in 1985 with new alpha serial prefix and new L side TM (67-3 at right) :


Nickel 27-2 (Right) serial N941xxx shipped in Feb 1984 with a recessed cylinder and non pinned barrel,
Blue 27-2 serial N762xxx (Left)shipped June 1982 and is P&R :


Model 18-4 (Lower Left)Serial 270K8xx Shipped May 1985 with non pinned barrel and new L side TM
(17-5 above right):

[vytoland]

a pair of post war M&P .38 special............

1945, nickel, LERK, long action hammer, pre war grips
1945, blue, LERK, long action hammer

[Fishslayer]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

S&W didnt make it easy for future collectors and why Rule No#1 with S&W is "Nothing is absolute with S&W" ;

IIRC the deletion of the barrel set pin did not warrant a revision change in the Model 60 as the non pinned version was essentially the same gun (sans set pin) , The non pinned Model 60 also had a fairly long run from 1982 - 1988 so is not really a "Transitional Gun" IMO.

The -1 & -2 were special production runs. This caused me a bit of confusion as well til I looked it up.

[teesur]

Here is 4 inch Model 27-2, S/N N-8859XX. Barrel not pinned and charge holes recessed.





teesur.

[vetjay815]

For anyone that might be looking for what looks to be a transitional 66-1 it's on gun broker it is a non pined, just finished unsold so it should be back up soon