MYSTERY SCREWDRIVER

[rct269]

I've come across a fluted aluminum handled screwdriver with a HOLLOW GROUND blade---essentially as new. It's been here for years---completely ignored.

So-----------is this the long lost holy grail of S&W screwdrivers-----or as common as dirt-----or a fake?

Many thanks!!


Ralph Tremaine

[armorer951]

Like this one? Sight adjustment tool. Not the "holy grail", but they are collectible, and come in different designs by time period.

[rct269]

Pretty much EXACTLY like that one---and I thank you kindly!

Ralph Tremaine

[ameridaddy]

All my 1970's S&W revolvers had a version of those in the box. I'll have to drag them out and see if the curved taper from the handle to the tang is the same length.

[JP@AK]

Of all the SAT variations, that one is probably the most common. One just like it sits on my workbench and is regularly used on various S&W revolvers. However, it is still a good find. Congrats!

BTW SAT = Sight Adjustment Tool. It came with S&W revolvers that had adjustable sights.

[Doc44]

The sight screw driver being discussed was an accessory from around 1964 to at least 1982.

Bill

[Club Gun Fan]

This is an ivory handled SAT someone at Smith & Wesson had made up for him. I believe less than 6 were made. It would look great in a case with an engraved gun.

[weatherby]

Originally Posted by Club Gun Fan

This is an ivory handled SAT someone at Smith & Wesson had made up for him. I believe less than 6 were made. It would look great in a case with an engraved gun.

Thanks Don I have an engraved gun.
I'll start on the case.
It even has Ivory stocks

[KSDeputy]

I have many of these around here, are they worth anything money wise?

[saemetric]

If the later style,which is the most common, from $5- 25.00. Depending own who wants it.

[rct269]

Originally Posted by Doc44

The sight screw driver being discussed was an accessory from around 1964 to at least 1982.

Bill

Thanks Bill---------for calling it a screw driver.

I am (and have been) aware of the propensity of some/many to refer to it as a "sight adjustment tool". I certainly can't say that's wrong---just irksome. Then, God help us all, it became known as a "SAT". That made my teeth hurt----not a lot---but even more irksome.

And then (of course---and as expected), a few of the PCP (Politically Correct Police) showed up to point out the error in my ways. That was good for a laugh, but my teeth still hurt.

A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose------------also a flower---with thorns.

Ralph Tremaine

[-db-]

Perhaps "sight adjustment screwdriver" would make everyone happy.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by rct269

I am (and have been) aware of the propensity of some/many to refer to it as a "sight adjustment tool". I certainly can't say that's wrong---just irksome. Then, God help us all, it became known as a "SAT". That made my teeth hurt----not a lot---but even more irksome.

And then (of course---and as expected), a few of the PCP (Politically Correct Police) showed up to point out the error in my ways. That was good for a laugh, but my teeth still hurt.

Hey, Ralph
I certainly get your point. And I strongly agree that "correcting" those who call it a screw driver is completely out of line and certainly unnecessary.

I do, however, see value in referring to it as a Sight Adjustment Tool. It sends the message that it isn't intended to be used to, for example, remove sideplate screws (I shudder at the thought).

There is a reason this screwdriver was not included among the tools shipped with fixed sight guns. It isn't a general purpose gunsmithing tool for use on S&W revolvers. It was intended for adjusting rear sights. Period. I think we owe it to new folks to help make that clear. It both aids in their education and it might just help them avoid ruining some of the screws on their revolvers.

As for the initialism, I guess I can see why that bothers some people (as it obviously does you). To me it is just a way of reducing the amount of typing I have to do. I have a hard time seeing why it is a problem, since most of us know what it means and those who don't will ask. After all, would anyone really think we should type out Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus instead of just typing SCUBA?

[rburg]

Its all good fun. Long ago, like maybe 10 or 12 years, I was wandering a gun show kind of aimlessly. I stopped in front of an end cap and saw 4 of those very common screwsticks. I asked the guy how much and he handed them to me, saying $5. So I handed him a $20 and smiled. He then asked which I wanted and I just said "all of them". Then he got a puzzled look on his face and asked "do you know something I don't?" It might have been a waste of money because I already had a dozen or so, and have no clue where I've hidden them.

I gave one to my gun show partner so he'd have a handy grip screwdriver. In my tote bag I keep one of the small Craftsman models, I think its 1/8". But I've also got a few of the ones pictured lying around my gun room on all flat surfaces. On my dresser I have one of the knurled aluminum ones. Doesn't get much use, but it makes me smile when I see it.

And then there was the day we went to a tiny gun show down in Ft. Knox or thereabouts. Some fool had used a roll of plastic tubing, kind of clear. He'd had a sewing machine handy and just made his own kits. S&W cleaning rods, jags, and screwsticks. Some had just one, others all the normal items. Maybe a dozen in all. I also bought the lot from him. No reason to be conservative about that. So yeah, I like them.

And there was the day, long ago, when a cop buddy decided to stop being single. So he was dumping all the old **** he'd accumulated over the years. He called me and told me to visit him. OK. He had a couple of shopping bags full of gun boxes, most S&W. He asked if I wanted them, and I wasted my time telling him the guns were worth a bunch more in their box. Too late for that, over the years he'd sold or traded the guns, but hadn't bothered to look for the correct boxes. So I carted them home and my sons and I spent the evening opening each and stealing the cleaning kits. Then I gave all the boxes to a gun shop. Foolish me.

In the dungeon I have a regulation library card catalog. In one of the long drawers I have stuffed as many cleaning kits as I can fit. Guess if I had any sense at all, I'd go digging and fill a 2nd drawer with that kind of junk. Yes, I've actually paid $100 for knurled steel and aluminum ones. I've even got a flat taper fluted one or two. I need to find them and separate them. Some of my boxed guns have screwdrivers in them. Guess I need to separate them so my upcoming widow doesn't give them to David Carroll when the main event happens. I don't know if my sons are smart enough to take them out or not. Honest as he is, he wouldn't tell them. They're part of the guns/boxes/paperwork.

Get with the program, guys. Keep the good stuff.