"Semi-target" K frame hammers?

mmande · Jan 22, 2020

There is lots of information on when S&W started offering Target hammers in the 1950's, but when did they start putting .375" wide, heavily checkered (semi-target) hammers on most K frames and phase out the more rounded, lightly checkered ones? I assume it also was in the mid 50's but could not find anything definite in the SWCA book.
Thanks in advance;
Mike

rbmac52 · Jan 22, 2020

I'm familiar with the "target hammer" (.500"), "semi-target hammer" (.375"), and service hammer (.265"), but I am not sure which "more rounded, lightly checkered" hammer it is that you are referring to. Maybe you could post a pic?

I can't help you discern when the transition to the semi-target hammer took place. Hopefully, someone will come along with the information.

mmande · Jan 22, 2020

I understand what you are saying. I got the term from the 4th edition of the S&W collectors book, page 509, in the glossary section. There, they referred to what we commonly call the "semi-target" version as a combat hammer.

rbmac52 · Jan 22, 2020

I had not noted that before.

I've always thought of the .265" hammer as the true "combat" hammer. It was standard on the Model 58 and the Model 520.

mmande · Jan 24, 2020

Edited original post to call the hammers "semi-target". I would still like to find the answer to my original question as many, many of the pre 14's and 17's have the rounded, lightly checkered hammers.
Thanks for your help;
Mike

linde · Jan 24, 2020

mmande said:
There is lots of information on when S&W started offering Target hammers in the 1950's, but when did they start putting .375" wide, heavily checkered (semi-target) hammers on most K frames and phase out the more rounded, lightly checkered ones? I assume it also was in the mid 50's but could not find anything definite in the SWCA book.
Thanks in advance;
Mike

Mike, I didn't look this one up in the engineering change listing but, based on observation, I believe the change from the "speed hammer" (aka fishhook hammer) to the .375" semi-target hammer took place circa mid-1956.

Russ

handejector · Jan 24, 2020

linde said:
Mike, I didn't look this one up in the engineering change listing but, based on observation, I believe the change from the "speed hammer" (aka fishhook hammer) to the .375" semi-target hammer took place circa mid-1956.

Russ

That would be about right. I've seen VERY late 5 screw Masterpieces with the new style semi Target hammer. I think I've also seen VERY early 4 screw Masterpieces with the earlier sculpted ('fishhook' {shudder

}) hammers.

larryofcc · Jan 24, 2020

The hammer on the Post Office Model had a .376 Semi-Target hammer. Big Larry

"Semi-target" K frame hammers?

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