Every 1930's-era revolver in my collection has the REG.U.S.PAT.OFF marking on the back of the hammer and trigger. That includes I, K and N-frames. Some loose humpback hammers in my parts box also have the marking.
Can someone tell me when these markings were first introduced and what the rationale was? I'm not aware of any fundamental changes to the hammer/trigger system in the late '20s that would warrant new notice of a patent registration. But starting to mark parts some 30 years after the basic design was introduced seems a little slow to post a patent protection notice.
I have looked through SCSW and the Neal-Jinks history, but I didn't spot anything addressing these factory markings. If I just missed them, I hope somebody will point me to the proper pages. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
Can someone tell me when these markings were first introduced and what the rationale was? I'm not aware of any fundamental changes to the hammer/trigger system in the late '20s that would warrant new notice of a patent registration. But starting to mark parts some 30 years after the basic design was introduced seems a little slow to post a patent protection notice.
I have looked through SCSW and the Neal-Jinks history, but I didn't spot anything addressing these factory markings. If I just missed them, I hope somebody will point me to the proper pages. Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
Hammerdown
