When were "fishhook" hammers used on M&P's, post pics if you have them

digi-shots · Sep 25, 2009

Just curious when the "fishhook" hammer was introduced. Was it only used on the M&P models.

What was their purpose and why didn't they stay around?

Post some pics if you have them!

Thanks!

mikepriwer · Sep 25, 2009

Linda

The fishhook hammer is the post-WW2 redesign. It was used for
all K-frame calibers, in targets and (some) M&P's .

This is a 4-screw K-38 -

]

Here are three K-32 M&P's, from the late 1940's :

Here is a K60,000 K-32, and a 1946 K-22, both in 4" :

Later, Mike Priwer

gjamison · Sep 25, 2009

are they also known as a speed hammer?

twaits · Sep 25, 2009

Thats my favorite S&W hammer design. I'm still looking for a 2 inch M10 in nickel with this style hammer.

MJS5678 · Sep 25, 2009

I like the fish hook design much more than the hammer that replaced it. BTW, Mike what is the story on the 4" K-22 and K-32, have never seen anything like that pair. Do they letter? Very cool.

s&wchad · Sep 25, 2009

mikepriwer · Sep 25, 2009

Mike

Yes - both guns letter.

The K-32 was part of a 10-gun order from Canton Hardware, Canton, OH,
in early 1949. This particular gun was shipped separately to someone
in Warren, OH.

The K-22 was built in the experimental department in Nov 1946. Its
the 1st 4" barreled target K-frame revolver made after WW2. Its one of
the prototypes (there were 6 or 8 total) for the K-22 Model of 1946 .
Its an X serial number, meaning the serial number starts with X .
The letter indicates that they intended to produce the K-22 in both
4" and 6", and this would have been the prototype for the 4", that
for whatever reason, they did not offer. The barrel is identical to
a 6" barrel, complete with the pinned front sight.

Later, Mike Priwer

Art Doc · Sep 25, 2009

Well, after Mike posts photos of his experimental guns what are rest of us to do to impress anyone?

VM · Sep 25, 2009

digi-shots,
this is my wife's Factory Nickel M&P from about 1954-5

handejector · Sep 25, 2009

I had never heard the "fishhook" name till I got onto this board in 05.
From the early 70's, I heard that hammer called the "sculpted" hammer. Since that is classier to me, and since I heard it more than 30 years earlier, I think I'll stick with it. I don't see the fishhook anyway.

That hammer appears in 1946 in the wide spur variety on the first post-war K-22's.
It appears on the M&P's in 1948 with the short action. It has the standard width spur on M&P's that gives the hammer flat sides. The preceding long action Transition guns do not have that hammer shape.

I have not been able to nail down the end of this shape. It is around the end of the 5 screw era.

digi-shots · Sep 25, 2009

WOW, there's some really nice ones here!

I just picked up a post war M&P... it needs a little cleaning. The grips were covered with polyurethene. I've stripped them but they need a little stain and re-coating. I'll post some pics of it when I get it cleaned up.

Mike, how do you seem to come up with these rare and unusual ones?!

If I ever had the good fortune to come across an "X" prefix S&W, I think I would just stand there in awe!

bmcgilvray · Sep 25, 2009

Hey, this is a great topic! I've been curious about this style hammer. I had a notion that it came out after the War and was about done by 1957 but never have known exact dates.

I'd also never heard it called a "fishhook" style until I joined the Forum. I can't see the resemblance to a fishhook though. The first time I ever noticed this particular style was at a gun show when I was young. I thought the hammer was modified, bent, or damaged. I confess that I like the appearance of this style hammer less than any of the others. In use though it is very positive for single action work.

I wonder why the company never saw fit to provide this fishhook style hammer on J or especially N frame revolvers. It's curious that it is only a feature of K-frames of the era.

I've got some revolvers that feature this style hammer but have posted them fairly recently elsewhere on the Forum. Besides, none of them happen to be in really nice condition.

j38 · Sep 26, 2009

Regarding the "fishhook" reference: imagine a fishhook laying with it's back along the top of the hammer. The eye of the hook is off the end of the hammer and the hook itself curves up and the barb points back toward the rear of the gun/hammer. At least that's how I've connected the term to the shape of this hammer. I do like them!

Jerry

pred · Sep 26, 2009

Here is a Pre-15 from 1953

MmM Fishy hammer...
Peter

mikepriwer · Sep 26, 2009

Mike, how do you seem to come up with these rare and unusual ones?!

Linda

Lots of luck, patience, and money !

This gun was in the Devine Oct 1999 auction, almost exactly 10 years
ago. Ray Brazille bought it on my behalf. He was bidding on several
other guns, as well.

I have some further information about the K-series prototypes.
There were three 6" K-22's, one 6" K-32, and two 6" K-38's. In 4",
there was one-each in K-22, K-32, and K-38. This is a total of
nine X-serial number prototypes. The tenth gun in the series
is a 6 1/2" 38/44. All ten guns are serial-numbered consecutively.

I don't know about the others, but this 4" K-22 has a couple of
interesting features. The obvious one is the pinned front sight blade,
on a 4" barrel. The second feature, and this may have been more
experimental, is the hammer stud. Typically, the hammer stud is
screwed into the frame. This hammer stud is floating - ie, it simply
sits in a hole in the side of the frame. Sometimes, when actioning
the hammer, you can see the stud turning !

I've never seen any production guns with a floating hammer stud, so
perhaps it was not a successful idea !

Regards, Mike Priwer

Bear Claw Chris Lappe · Sep 28, 2009

handejector said:
I have not been able to nail down the end of this shape. It is around the end of the 5 screw era.

This early 4 screw does not have it right?

SG-688 · Sep 28, 2009

VM · Sep 28, 2009

SG-688

Do you know the significance of the "2" and "4" stamped at the bottom of your hammers?
Anyone?

H P Bushrod · Sep 28, 2009

I have a early C-prefix 2 inch with that hammer in it. Noticed it was different from my other guns from that period, but I didn't pay much attention to it.

SG-688 · Sep 29, 2009

VM said:
SG-688

Do you know the significance of the "2" and "4" stamped at the bottom of your hammers?
Anyone?

No. Posted the question a few months ago. Nobody knew.

There's no apparent difference between the "2" and two "4" marked hammers I have.

When were "fishhook" hammers used on M&P's, post pics if you have them

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