Hole Below Cylinder Release - 44 Hand Ejector

[TheTinMan]

I came across a handsome pre-war 44 Hand Ejector. Looking closely at pics I suddenly saw a hole in the left side plate just below the cylinder latch. Looked at a bunch of photos of 44 Hand Ejectors. Some have what appears to be a hole but others have a pin (or something) in the hole.

What is that hole/pin for? It looks about the right spot for the hammer stud…

Please forgive my ignorance. I'm slowly moving backward in time in my collecting.

 

[Muley Gil]

I came across a handsome pre-war 44 Hand Ejector. Looking closely at pics I suddenly saw a hole in the left side plate just below the cylinder latch. Looked at a bunch of photos of 44 Hand Ejectors. Some have what appears to be a hole but others have a pin (or something) in the hole.

What is that hole/pin for? It looks about the right spot for the hammer stud…

Please forgive my ignorance. I'm slowly moving backward in time in my collecting.

You nailed it. The stud was screwed in from the inside and the end was domed. Later revolvers had the studs pressed in and the ends polished flush with the frame.

 

[TheTinMan]

You nailed it. The stud was screwed in from the inside and the end was domed. Later revolvers had the studs pressed in and the ends polished flush with the frame.

OK - but what if the domed end of the stud is recessed now? IOW not close to flush with surface of side plate. Is that a negative for the gun in terms of value?

 

[2152hq]

The top (apex ? ) of the 'dome' shape should be right at or just slightly below the side plate flat surface it sits in.

 

[Muley Gil]

OK - but what if the domed end of the stud is recessed now? IOW not close to flush with surface of side plate. Is that a negative for the gun in terms of value?

That is correct for a pre WW II revolver. I'm sure there were minute differences in lengths over the years.

 

[wheelgun610]

I'm sure there were minute differences in lengths over the years.

There are also variations in the thickness of the frame itself where the hammer stud is located. That's one of the things that can't be controlled in the polishing process where the parts are hand held. You'll also see a variation in the chamfer around the hammer pivot hole for the same reason.

Mark

 

[JP@AK]

The management order for changing from the threaded stud to the pressed stud was issued on January 18, 1946.

 

[CH4]

Hammer stud. They were much easier to change than the new pressed in versions.

 

[TheTinMan]

Thank you so much guys! A simple topic but helpful - especially about pre-WWII being recessed a bit. Obviously I was wondering if someone had buggered up the gun I'm looking at.

 

[lestert357]

The management order for changing from the threaded stud to the pressed stud was issued on January 18, 1946.

Apparently this change order was not immediately implemented on all models - the .357 Magnums manufactured between 1946 and 1949 (Transitionals) continued with the domed threaded stud as pictured below. The change was implemented for .357 Magnums when the 1950 models came out…..

Serial # S71964 shipped 5/11/48…..

S71972 shipped 6/29/48…..

Photo credit - Rock Island Auction