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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 02-27-2011, 08:22 PM
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Default C frame model # 73

wondering if anyone has heard of these or seen one ? 1973 Smith Wesson #73 6 shot on c frame
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Old 02-27-2011, 08:34 PM
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There was one on display at the last SWCA meeting in Tucson (2010). One of the side benefits of membership (insert strong hint here ) .
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Old 02-27-2011, 09:21 PM
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Is that the thing made for the French police with a manual safety?
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Old 02-27-2011, 09:35 PM
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SP;

I recall it was the S & W answer to the (6-shot) Detective Special, no manual safety on the one I handled.
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Old 02-28-2011, 06:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
SP;

I recall it was the S & W answer to the (6-shot) Detective Special, no manual safety on the one I handled.
Absolutely correct. Most were destroyed and project abandoned due to the difficulty in fitting the relocated cylinder bolt necessary to make the 6 shot cylinder safely in that size frame.
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Old 02-28-2011, 09:32 AM
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OK, but I recall a S&W made with a manual safety for a foreign police order.
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Old 02-28-2011, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by SaxonPig View Post
OK, but I recall a S&W made with a manual safety for a foreign police order.

They exist, but I can't recall details.
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Old 02-28-2011, 12:00 PM
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I think that was a model 12, and there is a photo of one in the SCSW (looking like a right-sided thumb latch).
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Old 07-20-2015, 10:17 AM
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Default Smith & Wesson Model 73

From Wikipedia
The Model 73 was made in only 5000 units in 1973. It was made in C-frame, the only model that featured this frame. It was a J-frame modified to take a 6-shot K-frame cylinder. It was S&W answer to the Colt Detective Special.[1]

The revolver was made with an off-set cylinder stop which made them difficult to manufacture and test. As a result, most of these revolvers were destroyed for safety reasons and it is estimated that there are no more than 20 of these left in private ownership.[2]
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Old 07-20-2015, 10:29 AM
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Here is a couple pics of a M73, owned by one of our members. I had the privilege of handling/inspecting and photographing it a few years back.


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Old 07-20-2015, 10:38 AM
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Two, along with an unfinished frame, were sold at the Butterfield auction in 1996. I don't know what they sold for, I don't have a price list.
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Old 07-20-2015, 11:44 AM
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Thanks SmithNut.

I wish they could have made it work as it would be a great IWB gun or carry gun in general.
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Old 09-19-2018, 03:01 PM
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Bump to show picture of Model 73 above.
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Old 09-19-2018, 07:41 PM
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I'd love to see one pictured with a J frame for comparison.

I like the barrel shroud. I'd also like to see detail of the extraction rod function. It doesn't appear to have a front lock.
Maybe it has a ball detent at the front of the cyl.
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Last edited by Hondo44; 09-19-2018 at 07:42 PM.
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Old 11-17-2020, 01:07 AM
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Why did it not have locking lug? didnīt it need it?
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Old 11-17-2020, 01:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hannibal Barca View Post
Why did it not have locking lug? didnīt it need it?
The extractor rod would have been too short to extract cases with that length barrel. It most likely had a ball detent front lock up behind the yoke like some of the new models such as the 500 Magnums.
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Old 11-17-2020, 01:45 AM
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Only some French police guns had safeties. I think they were modified Model 10's.
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Old 11-17-2020, 05:32 AM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44 View Post
The extractor rod would have been too short to extract cases with that length barrel. It most likely had a ball detent front lock up behind the yoke like some of the new models such as the 500 Magnums.
I’m wondering why the end of the ejection rod is left open and completely exposed.

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Dave
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Old 11-17-2020, 07:28 AM
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Quote:
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I’m wondering why the end of the ejection rod is left open and completely exposed.

Regards,

Dave
Only part left exposes is the very tip of the rod. Still way better than many Colts, where the whole rod was exposed and unsupported, Very few of which got bent in actual use. Even the Colt 1917 military models were this way
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Old 11-17-2020, 09:29 AM
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I don't understand the reason for making it. A mod 10 with a 2'' bbl. is about the same size as the colt detective.
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Old 11-17-2020, 10:11 PM
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Because making it on a modified J frame with a K cylinder would be smaller and lighter!

I grew up shooting Detective Specials and found they shot like a 4" S&W.
So I preferred Colt DS's over Chief's. I'm still better shooting a Det Spl than a J frame.

Yes, they were heavier, but the ballance was right and thusly they shot where
they pointed. If I could find one of the last DS's I'd jump on it.

Last edited by Abbynormal; 11-17-2020 at 10:15 PM.
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