.22/32 HFT Extractor Question

[gfors]

Does anyone know if the extractors stayed the same between the LERK and medium ejector versions (non-recessed)? I would like to pick up another extractor, before I (or my gunsmith) try to fix some timing issues, on the world's smallest ratchet.

 

[Hondo44]

Yes it did but only for a couple of years.

If you mean between the mushroom knob and the barrel extractor knob, but the recessed chambers and therefore the recessed extractor star began shortly after the change of knobs in the early 1930s. And note that right after WWII the extractor changed from right hand to left hand threads but only on the I frames.

And by the way, the 7 shot .22 M frame had an even smaller ratchet!

 

[gfors]

Thanks, Jim!
They looked the same, in pictures.

 

[JSR III]

According to my database, the mushroom knob (that I call the LERK), changed over to the medium knob (that I call the MERK), in mid to late 1928 around serial number 485788. The recessed chambers occurred at serial number 525600 and is reported to be in April of 1935. Due to the way that S&W produced and shipped firearms I show guns with higher serial numbers shipped in the early 30's and 525618 shows up without the recessed chambers.

So like most things S&W, nothing is etched in stone.....