Non registered Magnum 5 inch

[Toyman]

I found this at the show in Las Vegas this week end. 5 inch blue non registered magnum serial number 60275. The gun is a reblue with "FORD" stamped on grip frame.
The grips do not number to the gun,are in the 50000 serial number range fit really good. The gun has a COCKEYED HAMMER , maybe a KING. Roy Jinks says shipped December 1939

Additional photos, looks like the hammer stud was polished down , hammer appears to be a regular pre war N frame with oil grooves and after market target extention. I do not see that hammer stud has been moved

 

[Iggy]

Sure nothing wrong with that.

Very nice acquisition.

 

[OIF2]

I like that one. What's your impression of the Ford refinish?
Bob

 

[j38]

Very nice find! I'll look forward to a range report. Would you mind sharing the 1st 3 digits of the serial# on the grips?

Thanks for the post,

Jerry

 

[Toyman]

Fords did a good job of not over buffing, rounding corners etc. The cylinder has some plum color but I am not sure if that is caused by the metal or Ford's bluing proceess. I did not see the condition of the gun before they refinished it but my impression of their work is good.

 

[Toyman]

Jerry:51653

 

[David LaPell]

Nice looking old gun and I bet it would probably shoot real purty.

 

[Art Doc]

I thought the "cockeyed" hammer was offset to one side. Isn't this a target hammer conversion?

 

[gripper]

Roy, Your gun looks good and it has a beautiful set of magnas.

Chad

 

[Muley Gil]

"I thought the "cockeyed" hammer was offset to one side. Isn't this a target hammer conversion?"

I believe King's refered to this as a "double cockeyed hammer". Of course, S&W adapted it as a target hammer, as we know it today.

 

[kwill1911]

"I thought the "cockeyed" hammer was offset to one side. Isn't this a target hammer conversion?"

I believe King's refered to this as a "double cockeyed hammer". Of course, S&W adapted it as a target hammer, as we know it today.

Exactly right. Most of the good ideas incorporated into S&W and Colt products after WWII were ripped off from King: target hammers, short action, vent ribs....

Regards,
Kevin Williams

 

[Art Doc]

"
I believe King's refered to this as a "double cockeyed hammer". Of course, S&W adapted it as a target hammer, as we know it today."

OK, but that makes no sense. "Cockeyed" means it is asymmetrical. This type of hammer is perfectly symmetrical.

 

[dacoontz]

I was at the same table when Roy purchased the gun and the pics don't do it justice. It is very nice and looks fantastic. As Sax is saying the "double cockeyed" hammer does seem like an oxymoron. I have to say that the feel of that particular hammer is outstanding and shows a high level of craftmanship no matter what it's called.

I think it's great that Roy was able to acquire this very interesting gun and share it with the forum and S&W collectors. For me, it was the most interesting S&W I saw at the show. It will be great to see what more he learns about it and shares with the rest of us.

 

[1Aspenhill]

Roy,
Nice one! Now you need to find the other barrel lengths you lack! Be sure to bring it to Tulsa so we can put our fingerprints all over it!
Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Roy:

Beautiful find!

However, my guess is that your gun has had the hammer stud relocated for a post war short throw hammer. The only reason that I think this is that the exposed hammer stud pin that is so prominent below the thumb piece on prewar guns is not there on your obviously prewar frame. Plus, the hammer appears to have more of the post war profile. That would indicate to me that someone (perhaps King) removed the pre-war stud, welded up the hole, re-drilled a new hole, replaced the stud and filed/finished it smooth with the left face of the frame (in the post war style). I also recall reading a post with photos that showed a gun that had the above referenced "operation" successfully performed.

Then again... I may be out to lunch and that would not be the first time or the last, BUT, I would love to see the inside of the gun frame with all of the "guts" (or at a minimum the hammer) removed.

Thanks for sharing a very interesting and cool gun!

 

[28Shooter]

Very nice find, congratulations!

 

[zywina]

Roy really glad you found a enjoyable great S&W 5"er that is shootable and yet still a good gun for any N frame collection! I am sorry i did not make it on Friday to the LAs Vegas show, I still had busniess to attend at SHOTSHOW 2012, but an aquantence did tell me he was really impressed! Cheers from Canada Dale Z!

 

[bettis1]

Very nice, Roy. Congratulations on your find.

RE: "Cockeyed" hammer designation.

When a wider area was added to the left of the normal spur it was to assist the right handed shooter in accessing the spur without moving his hand. When the widening was placed on the right, it was for easier access by a left hand shooter. In those cases, the terms "right hand cockeye" and "left hand cockeye" seem quite acceptable. If we acknowledge those names, then the addition of a wider area to both sides from the mid-line (i.e for ambidextrous use), the term "Double Cockeyed Hammer" makes perfect sense.

I suspect that the term "target hammer" came along later, most probably added by a marketing department.

Bob

 

[opoefc]

Group. That's a very nice gun. Roy showed it to me, when he bought it at the Las Vegas show. Should make a great shooter and Ford did a very good job on the reblue. Whether they did the hammer work, or not, I don't know, however I don't believe that's a King double cockeyed hammer. Note two things (1) It's not stamped "King Cockeyed" on the left side, as are all King hammers, and (2) the trade mark stamping on the back of the hammer does not appear on any King hammers in my parts stash, but does appear on S&W hammers. It will be interesting to see what Roy's factory letter will say about what hammer was on the gun when it was shipped. Ed.

 

[boykinlp]

Great find! Love the hammer (whoever made it). It was definitely made by a fine craftsman. Looking forward to seeing what the letter says.