A fun quiz:

Donald Paul

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Can you determine what S&W hand ejector is pictured here?
Some of you will know the answer, others can learn something interesting.
 

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It's a pre-war (WW II, that is) N frame with a shrouded ejector rod and the "fouling cup" above the forcing cone...so a .44 or .455 HE "Triple Lock".
 
It can only be a triple lock. Could be any one of a 1/2 dozen calibers, although 44 and 455 are the most likely of course.

Although it's not the only Smith model without the divot in the recoil shield, it's the only N frame w/o it.
 
Quiz follow-up:

Thank you everyone. All of you knew what to look for, and you all are correct in your thinking.
Now for those who don't know why I presented such a quiz, I wanted to hi-lite ONE of the unusual features of the S&W Triplelock.
This revolver has a very unique recoil shield and related parts. The following pictures can show you what you will see when examining this unique revolver.
In order for the center pin to be retracted so that the cylinder can close, a ramp or 'divot' is used.
{I like that term Series Guy}.
Almost all S&W Hand Ejector revolvers, EXCEPT the Triplelock has this divot on the left recoil shield. {Picture XX2}.
Notice the divot is missing on the TL. {Picture XX1 and the original main picture}.
The OTHER SIDE of the TL has this divot. {Picture XX3}.
We all hopefully already know the main features of the TL revolver, but today we are talking about only the recoil shield and the divots.
Regards.
-Donald
 

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Donald & Series Guy,

Yes, the divot on the recoil shield on other models is for retracting the ctr pin and is held in the locked position by its spring.

The triple (middle) lock cam plate is only for retracting the middle and front locks. It does not retract the ctr pin because the pin is spring loaded to the front and already retracted by its own spring. It's held in the lock position by the center and front locking bolt springs, against the ctr pin spring tension.

The 1908 .44 HE 1st model (triple lock) has a 'front spring loaded center pin' which was changed on the .44 2nd model to a 'rear spring loaded center pin' that remains to this day.

Although Smith had the design of the .44 2nd model and subsequent .44s already perfected in the .38 1902 2nd year production after the engineering change, Smith went thru an exercise with quite a different design for their first N frame, the 1908 triple lock. Then switched to the 1902 design in 1915 on the .44 2nd model.

The other models I can think of off the top of my head are the M frame 2nd and 3rd model Ladysmiths, which have no divot on the recoil shield because they also have a ctr pin spring loaded to the front.
 
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I have two Triple Locks so the recoil shield was a dead giveaway for me. I also knew the info about the center pin being spring loaded to the front. I didn't know about the M Frames having the same feature. I think I learn something from every one of your posts Jim. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
 
I have two Triple Locks so the recoil shield was a dead giveaway for me. I also knew the info about the center pin being spring loaded to the front. I didn't know about the M Frames having the same feature. I think I learn something from every one of your posts Jim. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

series guy,

You're vey welcome, my pleasure.
 
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