Humpbacks in Magnums
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RM Hump Back hammers have concentric grooves. Pictured below is RM Reg# 5008 with original Hump Back hammer.
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Every RM with HBH I have seen had the concentric grooves. Even a late KCPD. I have seen a Witchita PD NRM with a smooth sided HBH but unsure if it was factory installed or not. S&W obviously made some pre-war HBH's with smooth sides at some point. Seems like I may have seen a few on 38/44 outdoorsmans but not sure when they shipped.
Wichita PD Non-Reg Mags
Wichita PD Non-Reg Mags
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Here's a picture showing both (RM and HD). Click for a larger view.
adrianolsen
Member
How long were the humpback hammers used and how much do they go for.
According to the SCSW, page 152, the optional Hump Back hammer became available to order on Registered Magnums early in 1938. They were available on the Magnums until the end of pre-war Magnum production in 1941. There is also at least one example of a .357 Magnum Transitional in the 1946 - 1949 period with a Hump Back hammer.
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crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
$500 to $800, depends on how much the guy with a lettered HBH Magnum wants to make it "right".
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I only have two guns with HBH and both are 38/44 Heavy Dutys. Both shipped in 1940 and both letter with the HBH. Blue 4" has grooved hammer. Nickel 5" has smooth hammer.
Question: What did SW originally call the HBH? Is this a collector term?
Below is page 49 from the S&W 1939 Catalog. Looks like it was named "Hump Back" by the company from the beginning.
larryofcc
Member
Below is page 49 from the S&W 1939 Catalog. Looks like it was named "Hump Back" by the company from the beginning.
Way beyond cool. Thanks for sharing. Big Larry
Transitional mag S 71642 has a humpback hammer, according to the list compiled by Jim F. The list doesn't contain full info on every gun though. Neither of my trans mags have a humpback hammer, but they do have the RM concentric grooves. Dave
So I guess the $3.50 offer is off the table : )
Just a few more examples:
Feb 1940 Non RM - pre-war .357 Magnum (grooved HBH):
May 1939 38/44 Outdoorsman (no grooves on HBH):
October 1939 K-22 Outdoorsman (HBH not original to the gun - but still cool):
Feb 1940 Non RM - pre-war .357 Magnum (grooved HBH):
May 1939 38/44 Outdoorsman (no grooves on HBH):
October 1939 K-22 Outdoorsman (HBH not original to the gun - but still cool):
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The grooved hammers were usually reserved for the 357 mag, both standard and humpback hammers. But we see exceptions or factory lettered smooth side humpbacks on non 357 Mags, replaced at some time with the grooved variety; likely when available as parts for $3.50, but could be anytime.
The grooved and non-grooved, standard and HB hammers carried on after the war on Transitional models with the notch for the post war sliding bar safety.
Post war notched .357 standard grooved hammer for post war Sliding bar hammer block safety:
Photo credit: ditrina
A notched HB or standard hammer on a pre war gun, grooved or not is a dead giveaway that it's an "add on" or replacement.
"That is almost certainly what happened [below]. They used that hammer for a replacement because they did not have an old style, or the repairman did not think enough about what he was doing.
The notched hammers were made post-war for the Transition magnums. I've owned 3 of them, and they all had the notched hammers with the modern hammer block. They don't have the "Reg US pat Off" stamped on them, which also indicates post-war manufacture." Lee Jarrett
Photo credit: LLOYD17
The grooved and non-grooved, standard and HB hammers carried on after the war on Transitional models with the notch for the post war sliding bar safety.
Post war notched .357 standard grooved hammer for post war Sliding bar hammer block safety:
Photo credit: ditrina
A notched HB or standard hammer on a pre war gun, grooved or not is a dead giveaway that it's an "add on" or replacement.
"That is almost certainly what happened [below]. They used that hammer for a replacement because they did not have an old style, or the repairman did not think enough about what he was doing.
The notched hammers were made post-war for the Transition magnums. I've owned 3 of them, and they all had the notched hammers with the modern hammer block. They don't have the "Reg US pat Off" stamped on them, which also indicates post-war manufacture." Lee Jarrett
Photo credit: LLOYD17
Not an RM, I have a .38/44 OD that has the grooved humpback hammer. The serial number should put it in the 1938 range but my letter states it shipped with the humpback hammer at the end of December of 1940. It is a pre-war hammer.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Love it when somebody posts a huge photo...
Anyway, I once had a 1940 HD with a "Humpback" hammer (what was the official S&W name, anyway?) but when it came to me the spur was broken off. Ex cop gun so likely dropped at some point while chasing a miscreant. Shame. Had to replace it with a regular hammer.
Anyway, I once had a 1940 HD with a "Humpback" hammer (what was the official S&W name, anyway?) but when it came to me the spur was broken off. Ex cop gun so likely dropped at some point while chasing a miscreant. Shame. Had to replace it with a regular hammer.
kwill1911
Member
Did you not look at post #12 above? It was..."Hump Back."
larryofcc
Member
With all the later revolvers having Hump Back hammers, I wonder if S&W didn't want to be stuck with a bunch of them, so they just arbitrarily installed them on lots of revolvers just to get rid of them. My 1940 38-44 Outdoorsman is lettered with one. It also has the grooves. Food for thought. Big Larry
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