First Hand Ejector: Model1896

[glowe]

That is correct Jim. I noticed that some old images of the 1893 Columbia Exposition guns had no medallions and some later images showed what looked like the same gun with medallions. As I recall, it was Ed Cornett supplied a well reasoned reply of the reason why quite some time ago, but I cannot find the thread. It seems that it was likely that there was no medallion pearl stocks at the Exposition, but the guns traveled for several years to various events. Toward the end of the 1890s, the stocks were changed out to all medallions for those that were in the traveling set of revolvers.

The quote is not expressed quite correctly in that there were pearl stocks in the 1893 Chicago Exhibition, but without medallions.

I did find one interesting article about the guns at the exhibition, but author assumed that there were both medallion and non-medallion stocks present in 1893, but shows one gun with both style stocks on page 71. Clearly an early image and a color image taken decades later.

https://americansocietyofarmscollec...-Smith-amp-Wesson-at-the-Worlds-Columbian.pdf

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you Gary! And thanks for the article.

Just FYI: Gustave Young is the S&W engraver that designed the S&W monogram logo that we all know and love today.

 

[glowe]

. . . Just FYI: Gustave Young is the S&W engraver that designed the S&W monogram logo that we all know and love today.

. . . yup, in 1879 and first appeared on the 32 SA and the 38 SA hard rubber stocks.

 

[SS336]

Thanks to all that participated in this thread. Very informative, I wasn’t as familiar with these older models. Enjoying it a lot.

 

[jlemay69]

Keep in mind that on this model the guns were not assembled in serial order and therefore extrapolating is generally not accurate.

All frames (and probably more than the actually assembled 19,712 revolvers) were produced and serialed in 1896/97, and then assembled in random sequence as they were grabbed off the shelf when orders came in until 1903.

That’s why all Models 1896 are classified as antiques by BATFE, no matter when shipped.

It has even been alleged that S&W shipped higher serials earlier to make the model look more popular, for marketing purposes, but I don’t believe there is any actual evidence to support that.

Serial # 9867 shipped 8/1896

 

[Teddydog]

Thanks for the reboot of this thread and all of the great info from the experts!

Rob

 

[newtonguitars]

I have a little knowledge about Pearl dust. I did some cutting of Pearl for my guitars, now mostly buy it pre-cut from Vietnam.
The Pearl button industry in the US was very busy in New York in the late 1800's early 1900's and many women were made sick from breathing the dust. Technically it is not poisonous, but the lungs react to the dust the same way they do to Asbestos, as many older industrial workers know this effect today, the loss of lung capacity.

 

[SFIDEC]

Lots of fantastic information shared in this resurrected thread. Thought I'd share pictures of my 1896 with medallion MOP's. With help from wonderful members on this forum I was able to replace needed ejector rod & knob to bring her back to life. These Lil Darlings are so much fun to shoot.
Serial number is 7504 and shipped in November 1899 per Mr. Jinks.
Ray