Question: about possible EWER custom Smith and Wesson 48-3

[libertyarmsllc]

I have acquired a S&W K-22 mod.48-3 that appears to have been worked on (possibly by Dave Ewer as there is a stamp 'EWER' on the yoke). It has 2 cylinders, one in 22LR, the other in 22WMR. The cylinders can be swapped out. I requested and received the letter of authenticity from Smith and Wesson. The S&W form said it originally left the factory with a 6 inch barrel and blue finish. The barrel now measures 5 inches long and the finish is in the white. I'm not sure what the finish is. Any additional information or custom work identification on this firearm would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[libertyarmsllc]

more pictures of firearm in question

more pictures of the firearm in question

 

[lscocoa]

I can't help with your questions but maybe an "N" stamped under the grips would indicate nickel finish possibly. You got a cool find and as a k22 fan I'm interested in the information you'll get !

 

[libertyarmsllc]

No "N" under the grips, but there is an "H" inside a circle.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I want to know about that pivoting yoke. I suppose it allows a quick cylinder change, without having to remove the yoke screw from the side plate. Is that a factory item, or is it part of whatever modifications were done to this revolver?

I have a blued M48-4, but only have the magnum cylinder for it; I'd love to find a LR cylinder

 

[H Richard]

The pivoting yoke is not a factory option, it was gunsmith created and the 1st time I have ever seen one. A few more close up pictures of just the yoke area would be appreciated.

 

[GerSan69]

I don't think that's "in the white," but rather it appears to be one of the hard chrome finishes like Metaloy, Armoloy, Metalife, etc.

 

[hkcavalier]

1970s, looks like stainless...it's hard chrome. I have a mid 70s 34-1 that looks quite similar...

 

[Murdock]

The purpose of the yoke modification?

Agree that it's likely some version of hard chrome finish. This was very popular in the 1970's when the variety of stainless steel revolvers from S&W were limited to the Model 60 and some of the holy grails of the time, like the M66.

 

[s&wchad]

The purpose of the yoke modification?

It allows you to pivot the yoke barrel and cylinder up, so it clears the frame lug (cylinder stop stud). That way, you don't have to remove the front sideplate screw to swap cylinders. It also appears there's a pin/detent to hold them in the correct position when using. Ingenious!

 

[steelslaver]

The pivoting yoke is just to cool. I think I glimpsed a screw in the front of the yoke that hold the top piece of yoke to bottom in the same way a normal yoke is held in the frame. My hats off to the guy who thought it up and did the work

 

[Green Frog]

As many custom revolvers as I've seen in person and on the InterWeb, that pivoting crane is a new one on me too. So simple and logical it becomes elegant! I've heard opinions that barrels for 22 Mag don't work well with 22 LR and vice versa, but folks tha actually have them seem to put that opinion to rest. Looks like a great dea to me.

Froggie

 

[libertyarmsllc]

pictures of yoke

Here are some more pictures of the yoke assembly.

 

[GerSan69]

That is pure genius. Not only the execution, which looks flawless, but to think up something like that in the first place.... Wow!

 

[H Richard]

Hope the inventor patented that to protect himself.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Sadly just read the gunsmith responsible for this has passed away.

 

[bronco45]

My bets are on Vern Ewer who was a great smith who loved Smith revolvers and was primarily remembered for his K frame 44 Spls. He was also a Model 63 fanatic. One of the finest machinists that I've ever seen. He ran a custom shop in the 80s called "Spokanguns" out of Spokane, WA. Located on East Sprague. Watched him build an exact replica of a Smith 686, full lug and all on a Smith 63. Some Dr. Commissioned the build to compliment his 686. 686s had just come out. Vern became the head guy at the Hanford Nuclear Plant, weapons section. Lived in Richland Wa last time I heard of him. He worked on 3 guns for me.

 

[glenncal1]

Here is an interesting article I found about Mr. Ewer.

Thanks Dave | The Art & Science of Bullet Casting

 

[RKmesa]

Very cool gun!!! And great photos of the ingenious yoke!

Thanks for sharing,

 

[bronco45]

Loved the story about Mr. Ewer. I attended a "defensive revolver class" with him in the late 80s. He had a Model 58 that had been rebuilt into a 45ACP with a 3.3" barrel and a gold bead front sight and roundbutted, That thing was a shooter, on my pay I could only look and drool. But Vern let me shoot a couple of cylinder fulls of 45 through it. Still remember that gun.