Hammers

scotchblade · Feb 6, 2015

Can someone please tell me if most pre-1980 K and N frame revolvers share the same hammers or are they model specific?

For example, would a hammer purchased from Numrich from the Model 13 Schematic fit a 14, 15, 19, etc.?

Also, do the dash numbers apply or does one fit all?

From the way the Numrich parts are numbered (SKU) it appears that they are all interchangeable.

Finally, they list different types of hammers for each model and I don't understand the differences. For my purpose, it would not really matter, I would like to understand how they vary.

Hammer, Stripped, .265
Hammer, Stripped, .375 Spur
Hammer, Stripped, .500 Target
Hammer, Stripped, Centerfire, .265 Sculpted Spur
Hammer, Stripped, Centerfire, .375 Sculpted Spur

Now why would I ask this question? I live in California. Older Smiths are off roster and cannot be purchased from out of state. My only option is to purchase locally, face to face. As a result, it's a seller's market.

One way around the roster is the single action exemption. A DA can be converted to a SA by replacing the hammer with the DA sear with one without at the FFL prior to running the paperwork. Or just remove the sear. I'm just thinking swapping the hammer might be easier and replacing it later.

From what I gather, this is perfectly legal to do and would not consider it if it wasn't.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

Related thread

armorer951 · Feb 6, 2015

hammer questions

I'll take a shot at answering some of your questions...

The hammers are the same dimensionally and not model specific among the k-frames you mentioned. Remember the older models use a hammer nose, and the newer ones use a frame mounted firing pin. (after approx 1998) The rimfire models would also, of course, be the exception, since they use a f.m. firing pin. Spur widths would also be a variable....the mod 13 for instance would usually have an M&P style spur, which would be .265". The model 19 usually shipped with the "combat" style hammer, which would have a spur approx .365" in width. "Target" style hammer spurs would be .500".
Hammers in the N-frame family are also dim. the same....with an occaisional model specific gun thrown in like the model 53, for instance. There are differences in spur widths among the N-frames also. The K and N frame hammers are not interchageable between the two fame size designations.

Revision numbers would come into play only if the revision dealt with a hammer change.....for instance the change in the hammer of the model 19-8, in 1998, when the use of the frame mounted firing pin was implemented, and the hammer nose was eliminated. I may be wrong, but I believe the other frames in production at that time also changed to the frame mounted f.p. around that same time period.

The descriptions (Numrich) you posted deal with the width of the hammer spur, and the added word "stripped" means the hammer comes with no pins, hammer nose, stirrup, or sear installed. I've never heard any S&W hammer having a "sculpted" spur.

Someone will be along shortly to give you added info, and/or to point out where I'm wrong.

scotchblade · Feb 7, 2015

Thank you Armorer. Looks like I'll have to wing it for the most part. Should I ever actually do this conversion, I will report back my experience.

linde · Feb 7, 2015

scotchblade said:
Hammer, Stripped, Centerfire, .265 Sculpted Spur
Hammer, Stripped, Centerfire, .375 Sculpted Spur

armorer951 said:
The descriptions (Numrich) you posted deal with the width of the hammer spur . . . I've never heard any S&W hammer having a "sculpted" spur . . .

The "sculpted" spur is also referred to by collectors as the "fishhook" hammer profile. The .375" wide sculpted spur was used on all post-war K-target Masterpieces up until circa 1956-57 . . . and the .265" wide sculpted spur was used on the short hammer throw M&Ps from late 1948 until 1956-1957.

Russ

The .265" wide sculpted hammer spur appears on the rear M&P in this picture

Hammers

scotchblade

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armorer951

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scotchblade

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linde

US Veteran

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