1932 Outdoorsman with hole at top of front strap

[GaryinOKC]

Has anyone seen a modification like this? I was looking for a shooter grade 38-44 Outdoorsman. Found this one on GB for a decent price. Upon receipt, I contacted the seller who doesn't know much about SWs, but said he saw another on GB with a hole and thought it was factory. Seems like a nice guy and willing to work with me. I am going to start the letter process but not sure about the gun. Has LE lineage which is a plus for me. Has a very light DA but I can not see that the hole does anything. Last picture is of gun he found on GB.

 

[Kansasgunner]

For a home-made grip adapter?

 

[desi2358]

I also think it's for a grip adapter. Hole is slightly off center and the inside of the frame looks rough where it comes through the frame.

 

[GaryinOKC]

I also think it's for a grip adapter. Hole is slightly off center and the inside of the frame looks rough where it comes through the frame.

Its clearly not a factory hole. Grip adaptor makes as much sense as any currently.

 

[Retired W4]

Pretty strange. A set of targets would cover the hole, but targets did not exist for that gun in 1932. Here's hoping the seller helps out.

 

[2152hq]

I'd vote that it's for a grip adaptor as well/

I note that the trigger rebound slide looks to have been 'punched' to upset the metal that extends upward on the top of the slide that is the hammer block.
Perhaps the rebounded hammer at rest had a bit of forward movement yet that made the owner a little nervous. So to tighten it up, the swage punch indent was made to hold the hammer back.

..or maybe it's just the pic !

 

[The Kid]

I had one come across my bench a long time ago that had a grip adapter with the attachment screw through the front and into a tapped hole in the frame just like that. I don't think it had a brand on the adapter, if it did I don't recall what it was.

 

[paplinker]

I have the same threaded hole on my King K22 Outdoorsman.
Been meaning to see what thread it was.

I cannot find it now but I saw a thread on here a long time ago where a wooden grip adapter was attached by a screw. Looked much like a tyler with the finger grooves lightly in the adapter,

 

[MSD2343]

Sounds to me like this handsome old piece would be a great candidate for a…. grip adapter!

 

[glowe]

. . . or have someone weld the hole shut and reshape the weld bead to blend into the front strap, both inside and out.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

OK, so at least 2 people have drilled a hole through the front strap of their Outdoorsman. Probably seemed like a good idea in 1930-something. A grip adapter seems like the most reasonable explanation. I guess. I would clean the innards out thoroughly, slap a pair of targets on it and never look back (or under the grips).

 

[GaryinOKC]

OK, so at least 2 people have drilled a hole through the front strap of their Outdoorsman. Probably seemed like a good idea in 1930-something. A grip adapter seems like the most reasonable explanation. I guess. I would clean the innards out thoroughly, slap a pair of targets on it and never look back (or under the grips).

I would love to find an adaptor that would utilize the hole. But overall with the history I am digging up on the gun it doesn't worry me. I will share the history when I tighten it up a bit. In the meantime I will have my son go through and clean up any action/end shake issues and just enjoy it. May put a T grip on it.

 

[DWalt]

Have never seen nor heard of such a hole. An attachment point for a grip adaptor at least makes sense. In my opinion, there is not much to be gained by trying to fill it with weld or a plug, I'd leave it alone as a minor cosmetic defect. Stamping on the bottom of the left grip panel looks like BALDWIN. Possibly a former owner, maybe Baldwin Piano or Baldwin Locomotives.

 

[GaryinOKC]

Have never seen nor heard of such a hole. An attachment point for a grip adaptor at least makes sense. In my opinion, there is not much to be gained by trying to fill it with weld or a plug, I'd leave it alone as a minor cosmetic defect.

Agreed and my plan.

 

[afkirby]

 

[paplinker]

Have never seen nor heard of such a hole. An attachment point for a grip adaptor at least makes sense. In my opinion, there is not much to be gained by trying to fill it with weld or a plug, I'd leave it alone as a minor cosmetic defect. Stamping on the bottom of the left grip panel looks like BALDWIN. Possibly a former owner, maybe Baldwin Piano or Baldwin Locomotives.

I do not mess with mine but am considering filling with a screw as mine is threaded. My guns all have targets so it is not oft on my mind.

Appears the gun on here has a threaded screw?

 

[Engine49guy]

Interesting revolver.
Im guessing Mr Baldwins first name began with the letter "E".

On a side note,
My old dept required us to mark all our personal and issued equipment ( helmet, coat , cap, etc) with a 3 letter personal monogram.

 

[RM Vivas]

OK, where to start?

I looked at that gun you have in the #1 post; it's a former LE gun.

The gun in the last image is also a former LE gun that was purchased by a fellow who later became the Chief of Police (I think) of the municipality in which he worked. Had his name and either the year or his shield number engraved on the gun. I'd been watching that gun for a long time now but it is, in my opinion, over-priced at two grand.

The holes you mention are things I have seen before on both N- and K-frames; I don't know for a -fact- what they were for but I have seen them enough to believe they were for some period grip adapter. I have a couple NYPD guns with similar holes and I have seen them on several other guns.

Interestingly, ---MY EXPERIENCE---- has been that they are encountered on pre-war guns, so I suspect it was for some sort of hand filling adapter that was rendered obsolete after the introduction of Magnas.

The more I think about it, I'd wager a perusal of 1930's era American Rifleman advertisements would probably pull up the answer.

As far as the gun you originally posted about, you'll like the letter.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[6string]

Re: "Custom Smith and Wesson .44 Hand Ejector, 2nd model"….

Wow, that wooden grip adapter looks fantastic! Whoever made it did a great job matching the wood to that used for the grips.
While it's unfortunate to those of us living in the 21st century that the frame was drilled, to my eyes the craftsmanship of the custom work looks way better than any Tyler T-grip (bakelite or aluminum).

Maybe GaryinKYC could make, or get made, a similar adapter and take advantage of the hole?

 

[red9]

Here is my 1891 revolver:


Bob