While talking about flame cutting in another thread, I recently learned from another forum member that the 1917 has an oval shaped cup milled into the top strap .... I believe as a carry over from black powder days?

I thought it was interesting, and was wondering what other models, if any, have it.

Josh P

I think the short answer is that most models built on the mid-size and large frames had fouling cups through the 1920s, but the feature began to be phased out during the early 1930s. My 1932 .38/44 Outdoorsman has a cup, but my Heavy Duty from the same year does not. My 1913 .32-20 Model of 1905 has a cup. But my 1923 Regulation Police Target Model does not. I don't know if I-frame guns ever had them as a regular feature. I would expect so, but perhaps the company began phasing them out earlier in the small revolvers. I don't have enough samples in my safe to check.

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David Wilson

My 22/32 target from 1915 has a fouling cup.

Looks like it was standard on I frames at the time too.