.32 HE 3rd Model Question

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Does this I frame gun, made around 1930 serial # 5205xx have a sliding hammer block like the newer Smiths? It has a groove milled in the side plate that appears to be for one, but I don't see where it would ride on the recoil slide.
I've got this posted here and in the gunsmithing section.

 

[Kelly Green]

As I recall, the sliding hammer block wasn't introduced until mid-1944. Someone here will know for sure.

 

[DCWilson]

Kelly Green is correct. The hammer blocks on prewar revolvers fitted into a slot in the side plate, but they were not sliders. I haven't thought about them much, but some I have noticed that at least some were spring driven, and the cycling of the action pressed them out of the way so that they were not in block position when the hammer fell. It must be the motion of the hand that accomplishes that.

I think I recall hearing that the sliding design was an improvement over the predecessor design because the earlier system could get gunked up with residue and not fully move into the hammer block position when the action was at rest.

 

[m1gunner]

Your hammer block is actuated by the hand as it rotates the cylinder. There is a spring loaded plunger that rests on the hand that moves the block out of the way of the hammer as the trigger is pulled to the rear.

If you remove the side plate, you will see it. BUT.. this also makes reinstalling the sideplate somewhat tricky. As you press the sideplate into position, you have to manipulate the hammer/or trigger to wiggle everything into alignment. If you force it, you can bend the sideplate.

The modern hammer block came into being as a result of a sailor in the early 40s dropping a revolver to a steel deck and getting killed when the round under the hammer fired.