1896 First Model HE / Different Variations

[twaits]

Since I've been spending a little time with my three 1896s lately, I've noticed a couple of differences between the two. One obvious, one was not so obvious, as shown in the pics below.

I'd like to invite other 1896 owners to share any other differences they have noticed in this model. I know that a short hammer spur was offered as well (I think Kleincaliber has one with a short hammer). There is also one pictured in the SCSW that has a very unusually long hammer spur.
I know there are also reported barrel lengths longer than the ones cataloged that could be had on special order. I don't know of any made at the factory with a barrel length shorter than 3 1/4 inch (The one pictured below has been shortened)

My hope it that this will be an informative thread on this early S&W that is one of my absolute favorites.

Below, the gun on the right has a 4th sideplate screw that was deleted in the later models. The one in the picture with the 4th screw was shipped on Sept. 26, 1896 and has the serial number 13017.
The other one was shipped August 9, 1901 and has the serial number 5917.
The cut down one above also has a deleted 4th screw and is serial number 4904. So far I believe that the higher the serial number on these the earlier the gun.

Note the back of the ratchet has two pins on the earlier variation:

On the later versions these two pins have been deleted:

Someone asked in another thread for pics of the internals so I thought I would post them here as well. Here's a couple of different guns apart:

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

I have a couple, but never noticed any subtle differences between them. Probably because they are from the same production time.
1896 pictured right, 4 screw sideplate.

1896 #2 also 4 screw sideplate. I don't have a photo of the right side of the revolver. They compare identically with one another.

Very interesting distinctions, thanks for sharing them with us.



Cheers;
Lefty

 

[twaits]

Very nice examples. Do you mind sharing the serial numbers? (or at least the first couple of digits followed by Xs)
Also are they lettered?

 

[Dr.-d]

Twaits, This 1896 is a 4 screw and has no pins on the ratchet is a 5 digit ser. at 117xx. I need to get off my chair and get this lettered. I've had it quite awhile.

 

[Dr.-d]

Recieved Factory Letter!

Recently recieved back Factory letter on this Model of 1896. Very interesting that it was shipped 8 days before Twaits's number 5917. This revolver is a 5 digit ser# and 4 screw plate with no ratchet pins. I wonder if examples of this Model were made at an earlier date and sales and demand dictated when they were sent out to those distributers?

 

[JP@AK]

Fascinating thread, guys.
Thanks for posting and for including the photos.
I love learning about these old guns, especially the first of the HEs.
JP

 

[twaits]

Recently recieved back Factory letter on this Model of 1896. Very interesting that it was shipped 8 days before Twaits's number 5917. This revolver is a 5 digit ser# and 4 screw plate with no ratchet pins. I wonder if examples of this Model were made at an earlier date and sales and demand dictated when they were sent out to those distributers?

Very interesting! Thanks for posting. I actually just sold serial number 5917. I will have to e-mail this link to the new owner.
It's strange how "all over the map" the serial numbers are for these guns. And also that extra sideplate screw which I always thought meant earlier guns. I guess that is not necessarily so.

 

[twaits]

Just a suggestion but I think this thread should have a sticky somewhere. This is good stuff.

 

[Dr.-d]

Just bumping the thread, seems to be an interest in 1896's at the moment.

 

[twaits]

I'm going to bump this again too. I have a friend that just picked up a gorgeous nickel plated 1896 in a case with factory pearls.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

Erik,

I have two that served with NJ police depts.

#5742 is marked JCP 148 (Jersey City NJ) shipped in 1897.

#4596 (Newark Police No. 249) was shipped in 1899.

The serial numbers were apparently in no particular order!


Charles

 

[opoefc]

The model 1896 was an entirely new design for S&W, as it was their first side swing cylinder revolver. Their competitors, Colt, Iver Johnson, etc. were also testing the waters with new side swing cylinder guns, so S&W's marketing strategy for new models was to make and ship high serial numbers first to their distributors, to intimidate the competition and give the impression the public was buying their gun as fast as they could come off the assembly lines. I don't think S&W was too much concerned about confusing collectors 100 yrs. later. Ed.

 

[twaits]

The model 1896 was an entirely new design for S&W, as it was their first side swing cylinder revolver. Their competitors, Colt, Iver Johnson, etc. were also testing the waters with new side swing cylinder guns, so S&W's marketing strategy for new models was to make and ship high serial numbers first to their distributors, to intimidate the competition and give the impression the public was buying their gun as fast as they could come off the assembly lines. I don't think S&W was too much concerned about confusing collectors 100 yrs. later. Ed.

Ed that is very interesting. Is that theory or known fact? That does seem like very good marketing strategy for the time and would definitely explain the high serial numbers on the early guns.
What was the total production of the 1896?
Weren't all the frames on these made pre 1898?

 

[red9]

FYI, #1337 currently offered online does not have the fourth sideplate screw.

Bob

 

[opoefc]

It's a known fact. Jinks has mentioned it several times in the past based on his research of the records, etc. Quite a few gun makers used the same strategy in their marketing, going back to the post Civil war era. The SCSW lists serial numbers for the Model of 1896 from 1 to 19,712 as made from 1896-1903, so where the stopping point was for pre 1898 vs. post 1898, I don't know. The ATF uses the ship date as the key date to determine antique status and I'm not aware the Floor Foreman's day books of production dates for the Model of 1896 still exist. If so, it would tell us the exact serial number of the last gun made 12/31/1898. Ed.

 

[twaits]

Thanks Ed. Good information. I wish my friend would post a picture of his 1896 here. It's stunning. But he's a Colt guy

 

[NavyFrank]

I have a Jersey City PD gun.

 

[Duke44]

Just curious how often you encounter target configurations in this model?

 

[digi-shots]

I have a Jersey City PD gun.

Is the number on the backstrap 81 or 87 ?

Thanks!

 

[olav.joh]

32 long S&W Hannd Ejector model 1902?

I presently own two S&W break oopeen revolvers wich is considered obsolete here . One in 38 S&W and one i 32 SW short .Both as New . But I also have parts for a 32 long Hand Ejector wich is a sideplate,rigth, with two sscrews hole and a complete cylinder and a barrel from 1902 . I have a permit to obtain the rest of parts for this gun but of course no one have so far sold me any than the parts I already have . I would be happy if someone could give me a adres for a dealer or some others for rest of the parts.olav.joh