sbrmike
US Veteran
My 1951 K-22 Masterpiece (6"), serial # K 130417 has a Fishhook Hammer. Did S&W routinely put those in guns and if so what eras, models etc? Or were they all an accessory part? What is their purpose or advantage?
Fishhook hammer
- Thread starter sbrmike
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In the late 1940s, when the postwar Masterpiece line was introduced, it received the High Speed Hammer (S&W's name for it). It is what many collectors refer to as the "fishhook hammer." In the spring of 1948, the M&P started getting the same hammer.
By the mid-1950s, it was pretty much gone. I have a .38 Combat Masterpiece that shipped in October 1952. The High Speed Hammer was in use at that time. My 1956 revolvers do not have it.
By the mid-1950s, it was pretty much gone. I have a .38 Combat Masterpiece that shipped in October 1952. The High Speed Hammer was in use at that time. My 1956 revolvers do not have it.
Is this the same hammer sometimes referred to as the “Superman” hammer?
I've not heard that nomenclature before after lurking around for 13 years. I've commented before that the "fishhook" hammer looks more like a tomcat's tail to me than a fishhook. But, for some unknown reason, my terminology was ignored...
I’ve heard the hammer type below as a “Superman” hammer
Engine49guy
Member
The S&W "High Speed" hammer aka the Fish hook hammer seems to dissappear by the introduction of the four screw frame,
As with all things S&W there are no hard rules with S&W and they didn't throw out good parts.
My buddy has a very early 4 screw K22 with a High speed hammer so they exist but never seen another like it.
As with all things S&W there are no hard rules with S&W and they didn't throw out good parts.
My buddy has a very early 4 screw K22 with a High speed hammer so they exist but never seen another like it.
Yes; that is a High-Speed, AKA Fishhook hammer. It's one of my favorite hammer designs.
DWalt
Member
Never heard of a Superman hammer. Could be from the revolver used in the opening sequence of the 1950s Superman TV series with George Reeves. Faster than a speeding bullet. The fishhook hammer was followed by what most called the semi-target hammer.
Sure enough. Checking YouTube, the early B&W Superman episodes used an M&P with the fishhook hammer. The later color episodes appear to have used a Colt Official Police - with a missing extractor rod knob.
Sure enough. Checking YouTube, the early B&W Superman episodes used an M&P with the fishhook hammer. The later color episodes appear to have used a Colt Official Police - with a missing extractor rod knob.
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DWalt
Member
I think the idea was to get a shorter lock time.
JwesleyN
Member
Why did Superman stand there with his hands on his hips and defiantly take six rounds to the chest and not blink and eye but would duck when the bad guy threw his empty gun at his head? Just asking
The fish hook hammer is the first hammer change and replaced the pre war style hammer. It was introduced with the short action that S&W called the high speed action; the short action reduced lock time, hence the name “high speed hammer/action”. Albeit the pre war first model .22 Masterpiece was first to have the shorter high speed action.
Both K and N frames received the short action after WWII. But only the K frames received the fish hook hammer.
I owned 4 or 5 K-22's all from 1948-1951 and only this current one had the Fishhook. I guess the others got changed out with later hammers. The K22 family heirloom was definitely changed as it was a 1950 gun with the wider target hammer from 1955? or there abouts. I gave that gun to my sister as she lives on the family homestead where we all shot that K22; it was the first gun many of us ever shot.
I posted about the handguns in Superman a number of years ago and I IDed the Colt as a OP and you said that it was a Police Positive Special. So which is it?
Illustration from the January 1956 AMC. Are these fishhook hammers?
Yes
DWalt
Member
For the color series opening, the folks on the Colt forum believe it was a PPS with a 5” barrel. To me, it looks more like an OP. For sure it is a Colt.I posted about the handguns in Superman a number of years ago and I IDed the Colt as a OP and you said that it was a Police Positive Special. So which is it?
