First concealed hammer hand ejector?
- Thread starter Oldmandp
- Start date
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The Centennial was the first hammerless hand ejector, introduced in 1952.
I have read that Colonel Rex Applegate asked S&W to update the old top break hammerless revolver to fire .38 special.
I have read that Colonel Rex Applegate asked S&W to update the old top break hammerless revolver to fire .38 special.
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As Muley Gil posted.
Actually there were never any I frame hammerless.
And the only other HE is the L frame. Mod 242 .38 Spl and Mod 296 in 44 Spl IIRC.
Actually there were never any I frame hammerless.
And the only other HE is the L frame. Mod 242 .38 Spl and Mod 296 in 44 Spl IIRC.
They are very interesting guns,
Mod 40, 640,940
Mod 40, 640,940
Ah!
I found that the top break was available in concealed hammer longer than I thought.
Cool about Applegate!
I did see a .327 mag centennial for sale...for about 30 seconds!
I really like my 43c. My every day carry.
Many Thanks!
I found that the top break was available in concealed hammer longer than I thought.
Cool about Applegate!
I did see a .327 mag centennial for sale...for about 30 seconds!
I really like my 43c. My every day carry.
Many Thanks!
iskra
Member
Chief Special Hammerless
Hi Oldmandp, Myself fitting that description except for "dp"; not a "displaced person."... Yet! Maybe "dysfunctional"!
Below pix of my '52 edition Centennial, SN 2xx. Notably box label described as "Chief Special Hammerless". Thanks for the interesting Thread & discussion of a relatively less discussed model to my mind.
Best & God Bless all in this Crisis.
John
Hi Oldmandp, Myself fitting that description except for "dp"; not a "displaced person."... Yet! Maybe "dysfunctional"!
Below pix of my '52 edition Centennial, SN 2xx. Notably box label described as "Chief Special Hammerless". Thanks for the interesting Thread & discussion of a relatively less discussed model to my mind.
Best & God Bless all in this Crisis.
John
Attachments
That's a special box marked that way. Changed to Centennial in 1953, the company's 100th anniversary year.
iskra
Member
Thanks for the notation Hondo! I've never seen many red boxes at all for these & no recollection of nomenclature on others.
A question. Would this Model have used the so-called "Baby Chief" frame or lalready with later/larger Chief size?
Best!
John
Correct, there are no Baby J frame Hammerless or Centennials.
In fact we see no other J frame models, Bodyguard, and Cent or BG Airweights in Baby J versions either.
And only a very few Baby Chiefs Airweights.
In fact we see no other J frame models, Bodyguard, and Cent or BG Airweights in Baby J versions either.
And only a very few Baby Chiefs Airweights.
The first of these J-frame guns were the "Centennial Airweights," and were available for limited sale on November 21, 1952. The first 37 guns had aluminum frames AND cylinders. The all-steel model called the Centennial was introduced on December 1, 1952.
More information can be found in my "101 Classic Firearms" book beginning on page 158.
John
More information can be found in my "101 Classic Firearms" book beginning on page 158.
John
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DWalt
Member
It first appeared in the Gun Digest (6th Edition, 1952) catalog section under the name of ".38 Chiefs Hammerless" at a price of $60 Blue and $66 Nickel. I believe that must have been a pre-production ad, as the 1952 GD reflected 1951 gun information.
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Inusuit
Member
I really like the lines of the Centennial. I have its ugly brother, nickel Model .38.
An interesting case of a last minute change or the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing:
Before they were named the Centennial, the S&W factory called the alloy model the ".38 Chiefs Special Hammerless Airweight" and the all steel version ".38 Chiefs Special Hammerless", and that is the reason the earlier boxes are labeled as such. Boxes were obviously ordered well ahead of time before the Cenntennial name was thought up by the marketing dept.
Before they were named the Centennial, the S&W factory called the alloy model the ".38 Chiefs Special Hammerless Airweight" and the all steel version ".38 Chiefs Special Hammerless", and that is the reason the earlier boxes are labeled as such. Boxes were obviously ordered well ahead of time before the Cenntennial name was thought up by the marketing dept.
My catalog is labeled as "First Printing October 1952", so maybe the catalog came out late, after the name change to Centennial?
The first J Frame revolver was completed in 1950 and introduced at the
International Association of Chiefs of Police. It has been known as the
Chief's Special ever since. In 1957 when S&W started the numbering
system, the Chief's Special became model 36. The stainless version of
the Chief's Special came out in 1965 and they called it model 60.
The Centennial Airweight, with a concealed hammer and a grip safety,
appeared in 1952. In 1957 it was designated Model 42. Initially it only
weighed about 11 ounces, but they soon replaced the alloy cylinder with
a steel cylinder which boosted the weight up to about 12.5 oz.
I really like my model 642-1, shown below with a little black speed
scabbard made by Chic Gaylord. Belts were quite narrow in the 1950s
when the holster was made, so this old Uncle Mike "Mirage" is all I have
that will go through the loops.
The grips are Blue Lava by Hogue. The knife is a Piranha.
International Association of Chiefs of Police. It has been known as the
Chief's Special ever since. In 1957 when S&W started the numbering
system, the Chief's Special became model 36. The stainless version of
the Chief's Special came out in 1965 and they called it model 60.
The Centennial Airweight, with a concealed hammer and a grip safety,
appeared in 1952. In 1957 it was designated Model 42. Initially it only
weighed about 11 ounces, but they soon replaced the alloy cylinder with
a steel cylinder which boosted the weight up to about 12.5 oz.
I really like my model 642-1, shown below with a little black speed
scabbard made by Chic Gaylord. Belts were quite narrow in the 1950s
when the holster was made, so this old Uncle Mike "Mirage" is all I have
that will go through the loops.
The grips are Blue Lava by Hogue. The knife is a Piranha.
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I would agree. The boxes likely had to be ordered much earlier in those days.
It's reported that S&W requested suggestions for the name from the attendees.
The name is actually .38 Chiefs Special; plural but not possessive.
It's interesting to note the Centnnials came out nearly two years before the last Baby Chiefs shipped and before the first, longer grip frrame Model of 1953 Chiefs were shipped in mid 1954.
I've wondered if the company made scores and scores of Baby Chiefs frames before it enlarged the grip frame for the Centennials. Then, being known for never wasting anything it had to sell the Baby Chiefs before changing to the Model of 1953 for the Chiefs.
