Model 37 - Bobbed Hammer? UPDATED 10-25-12

[gearsource]

Hello;

*** UPDATE: I got the letter back from S&W Historian's Office.***

The letter states that "the revolver was shipped from the factory on March 20, 1980...the invoice does not list this revolver as having a bobbed hammer." So, not a factory bobbed hammer. It does still have
the correct blued finish and checkered walnut grips, though.

My first S&W factory letter, but unlike others I have seen. This one is three pages long, the first two pages giving a history of the Model 37 revolver.
It isn't until the last paragraph of p.3 that my specimen is addressed.
Very nice presentation, though. All 3 pages on the old fashioned letterhead, first 2 pages embossed on the lower left corner with the S&W Seal and the signed initials of Roy Jinks, his signature block is embossed with the S&W Seal on the final page.

***How long has this letter format been in use?





I have a Smith & Wesson Model 37 Airweight "snubnose" that has a bobbed hammer. It is a pinned barrel model, Serial # J723xxx
The frame is marked "MOD 37" with no dash, etc. Condition is excellent, probably 85%.

I would like some information on market value (few on Gunbroker), and when it was manufactured.

My biggest question is whether S&W ever made a special run of these with a bobbed hammer?

Was bobbing these revolvers a common practice when this one was newer?

 

[AZretired]

Is it DAO? Can you cock the hammer? As far as I know S&W never bobbed hammers without also making it DAO. The only ones I'm aware of were for NYPD and I think only on M-64s and some M-60s. Others will be along that can help better than I.

 

[gearsource]

Bobbed Hammer Model 37

Is it DAO? Can you cock the hammer? As far as I know S&W never bobbed hammers without also making it DAO. The only ones I'm aware of were for NYPD and I think only on M-64s and some M-60s. Others will be along that can help better than I.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

Yes, the hammer can be cocked manually.

 

[crsides]

These are not hard for a gunsmith to make. They were available for sale on the aftermarket and may have been available as a part from S&W.

I doubt it came from the factory bobbed.


Charlie

 

[bluegrassarms]

Pretty sure it's been bobbed post-factory. Well done IMO. The first picture is where I see it the most, where the curve of the hammer comes down but doesn't follow through and instead insets somewhat. Every bobbed/rounded hammer I've seen on a S&W has a more continual curve on the hammer. This one is in-cut instead of rounded.

I think this one was bobbed and they cut in on the thumb grip where it meets the hammer to create a nice look and still minimize any refinishing. Could easily be an aftermarket part and that was just the most efficient way to produce it from the S&W specs.

I'm getting ready to bob a hammer on a Model 36 for a friend. Hope mine comes out as nice as yours where you have to wonder if it's factory or not.

 

[blujax01]

The statement about S&W only providing bobbed hammers in DAO is incorrect.

My M64 is a Brinks Special that came from the factory with a bobbed hammer and it can be cocked manually and locked back into SA.

 

[Pisgah]

Back around 2000, they made a run of bobbed-hammer DAO 37-2 revolvers. The story was that they were for a foreign police organization, and that those sold in the US were either overruns or the result of an order cancellation. They had no lock, color case hardened forged hammer and trigger, matte finish, and are +P-rated even though they were built on the "pre-magnum" frame. I got one, and it is one of my two favorite carry guns. They are the only DAO bobbed-hammer guns ever sent out that way from the factory.

 

[gearsource]

What is the Approx. Current Value?

I bought this revolver over 20 years ago. I have fired it a couple of times, but it needs to go to a new home where it's more appreciated.

I do not have the box and papers for it.

What would a fair asking price be for this MOD 37 currently?

I really appreciate all the answers and comments thus far, Gentlemen.

Keep 'em comin'!

 

[AZretired]

The statement about S&W only providing bobbed hammers in DAO is incorrect.

My M64 is a Brinks Special that came from the factory DAO and it can be cocked manually and locked back into SA.

DAO means it cannot be cocked. If it can be cocked its no DAO, just a bobbed hammer. I too have a Brink's 64-4 and it is a DAO and cannot be cocked.

My statement about bobbed hammers not being factory was in regard to the M37 or 36 I am aware of factory bobbed 64s, 10s and 60s.

Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk 2

 

[blujax01]

DAO means it cannot be cocked. If it can be cocked its no DAO, just a bobbed hammer. I too have a Brink's 64-4 and it is a DAO and cannot be cocked.

My statement about bobbed hammers not being factory was in regard to the M37 or 36 I am aware of factory bobbed 64s, 10s and 60s.

Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk 2

Sorry I wasn't clear. (Reminder to self, first coffee - then Internet! )

My M64 is factory bobbed and can be cocked and shot in single action mode.

I have no knowledge about other models.

 

[gearsource]

Can somebody help me with a current value?

Thank You.

 

[ltxi]

Tough because this isn't factory....so value is dependent on you finding a buyer for a nice older J-frame with a good hammer bob job. Collector value nothing, shooter value a couple of hundred, someone who wants exactly this three to four. Just imo. Personally, I like it enough to pay well for it if I didn't already have a bobbed M60 and a slick 442. Looks like a really nice gun.

 

[1973Glenfield25]

Here's one for sale for $325.
Riverview Sales: S&W Model 37 .38 SPL No Hammer

 

[gearsource]

Once again, thanks to all for the help and comments.

Just speaking about the Model 37 in general, the one for sale at the link for Riverview Sales seems to have a matte blue or similar finish, and an unfinished yet bobbed hammer. Was this finish common at one time? Was the "shinier" hammer (bobbed or not) a stock item at one time?

Just ballpark, would $375.00 including shipping be reasonable in today's market?

 

[blujax01]

This web site should give you a feel for the worth of your revolver:
Guns for Sale - Online Gun Auction - Buy Guns at GunBroker.com

Sometimes the asking prices are high and you have to be a member to view completed auctions but -

If you place "S&W 37" in the search engine you will see the current auctions. Notice that beside the pictures is sometimes a letter "B" in a gray box. This indicates there is a "buy-it-now" price. Click on pictures with those and the price is revealed along with details. You will find that $375 is incredibly reasonable.

And there is a lot of controversy about whether S&W offered SA/DA or DAO with bobbed hammers. I would not be too sure that it is not factory. A $50 letter of authenticity will clear that up.

 

[alwslate]

I have two 37-2 RBs that I bought several years ago and I still have
the boxes for both. I bobbed the hammers on both myself as I planned
to carry them and cutting hammers is a simple job that doesn't have to be perfect. I would say your gun was cut after leaving the factory.
The finish varied over time with the 37 and the newer of my two has
a more dull finish than the other. I would guess that your gun being
cut, used, no box and SB would be worth a bit less than 375.00.
This is the older of my two, the one I carry most often.

 

[gearsource]

Bobbed Hammer Model 37

I have submitted my request to Smith & Wesson for a Factory Letter.

Looking at the gun more closely, with the cylinder open there are additional markings visible on the Yoke.

These markings are as follows: 6x19x AND E5 underneath it in larger font.


Can anybody tell me what that might stand for?

Thank You.

 

[gearsource]

Can Anybody comment on these markings?

 

[alwslate]

Those are parts, assembly-manufacturing numbers that the company
uses and are of no significance to the gun's owner.

 

[gearsource]

BTT With an Update.