model 39: why the hole in the hammer spur?

mgo

mgo

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Greetings, friends:

New member here, but a long time S&W shooter. I currently own a 638, 642, model 39 and model 39-2. The model 39s are gun show "rescues", and I really like the way they shoot. (I even got lucky and found some spare magazines with the "S&W" stamped on the base plate)

I'm curious; why is there a small hole in the hammer spur on my model 39, but not on the 39-2? I know it isn't a lanyard ring! (just kidding)
 
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Not sure exactly?
But they may have been going for the "look" of Colt's Commander of the era?
 
You can find early Model 39-2's with holes in the hammers. I have some. My thought is that was discontinued as one less process in the production phase. I actually like the look of the hole in the hammer, better than the plain hammer. I also have an early Model 59 with a hole in the hammer as well.
 
Page 43, section 5 and 6 of Army Field Manual 23-35 explains why round hammers used to have holes in them. A spur hammer does not need a hole, but a round one once did.

Basic Field Manual FM 23-35

All this eventually became obsolete, but once upon a time it made all the sense in the world.
 
KurtC said:
Page 43, section 5 and 6 of Army Field Manual 23-35 explains why round hammers used to have holes in them. A spur hammer does not need a hole, but a round one once did.

Basic Field Manual FM 23-35

All this eventually became obsolete, but once upon a time it made all the sense in the world.
Click to expand...

How interesting...and does that mean the same practice drill would have been done by the military during training with the early model 39 when they were putting that pistol thru trials decades later?
 
The practice drill may or may not have been done with a 39, hard to tell. I'm just pointing out the reasoning behind hole. Any pistol of that era that was intended for use by the military (or a para-military group like police) would have had a spurred hammer or a round hammer with a hole. Just in case.
 
Smith & Wesson deleted the hole when the hammer was redesigned. This allowed the factory to determine which hammer was in the gun with out removal of the hammer. The new hammer had a stronger full cock notch and a relocated half cock notch.
 
Richard McMillan said:
Smith & Wesson deleted the hole when the hammer was redesigned. This allowed the factory to determine which hammer was in the gun with out removal of the hammer. The new hammer had a stronger full cock notch and a relocated half cock notch.
Click to expand...

My plan is to eliminate the half cock notch and put my hammers with the hole in it on my S&W Model 639, 915 and 3913 for the looks.

53wu9z.gif
 
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I was unable to access any of the pages in the linked manual. So what does it say about the hole in the hammer?
 
Page 43, simulation of live fire

lebomm said:
I was unable to access any of the pages in the linked manual. So what does it say about the hole in the hammer?
Click to expand...

"(5) To simulate the self-loading action of the automatic
pistol take a strong cord about 4 feet long and tie one end to
the thumbpiece of the hammer, the knot on top. Take a few
turns of the other end of the cord around the thumb or
fingers of the left hand. The cord should be long enough to
permit the left hand to hang naturally at the side while aim
ing the pistol with the right hand, right arm fully extended.

(6) Each time the hammer falls a quick, backward jerk of
the left hand recocks the pistol and at the same time jerks
the sights out of alinement with the bull's-eye. This derange
ment of the alinement corresponds very closely to the jump of
the pistol when actually firing.

(7) If the knot is underneath the hammer or if a very
thick cord is used the hammer will not remain cocked when
jerked back."
 
The Marine Corps has a similar manual

MCRP 3-01B
Pistol Marksmanship

Find Figure 1-22. The manual advises that a short length of cord makes it easier to cock in cold weather while wearing gloves.
 
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I remember my dad, a WWII Seabee, telling me once about an instructor doing the string drill with a .45 Auto.
 
2hawk said:
"(5) To simulate the self-loading action of the automatic
pistol take a strong cord about 4 feet long and tie one end to
the thumbpiece of the hammer, the knot on top. Take a few
turns of the other end of the cord around the thumb or
fingers of the left hand. The cord should be long enough to
permit the left hand to hang naturally at the side while aim
ing the pistol with the right hand, right arm fully extended.

(6) Each time the hammer falls a quick, backward jerk of
the left hand recocks the pistol and at the same time jerks
the sights out of alinement with the bull's-eye. This derange
ment of the alinement corresponds very closely to the jump of
the pistol when actually firing.

(7) If the knot is underneath the hammer or if a very
thick cord is used the hammer will not remain cocked when
jerked back."
Click to expand...

Freaking genius JMB was in his designs...
 
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