"Flat Latch" history

[BabaBlueJay]

I was just curious if anyone knew the history behind this. I've found various sources and know S&W does not refer to this release in this way. I've found articles that claim only the model 36 had this, but then someone informed me their revolver had it as well which contradicts the claim in the article I read from American Rifleman.

 

[adrianolsen]

I believe all early I and J frames had 1 of the 3 flat latches

 

[Rubone]

I have a flat latch 36 and a flat latch 37. Both original pieces.
And I wouldn't put much faith in an "American Rifleman" article, they are very often wrong on stuff.

 

[JP@AK]

From the early 1950s until 1966, the "flat latch" thumbpiece was used on I frames, J frames and the Airweight K frames. There were several variations, the first of which was used on the J frame "Baby" Chiefs Special only.

The blued revolver in this picture is a .22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1953 (New I frame), shipped in January, 1958.

This Chiefs Special Model 36 (J frame) shipped in September, 1964.

 

[Inland7-45]

My pre model number 30 made in 1955 and model 42 from 1959 have flat latches . My model 36 from 1968 has the checkered thumb piece. I have used a friends model 36 from 1966 that has the flat latch. When my father was shopping for a model 36 in 1968 all of the new guns we looked at had checkered thump pieces.

 

[Truckman]

I believe all early I and J frames had 1 of the 3 flat latches

It could be my failing memory rising to the cause again, but I think I remember Two-bit Cowboy having identified seven different variations of the flatlatch...Maybe Bob will see this thread and verify for us......Ben

 

[Messer]

Not sure of different versions of the flat latch, but I have an early Centennial (SN: 272 - probably from 1953) with a very flat one.

 

[JP@AK]

Interesting Messer.

That is the first style flat latch. Until now I had only seen that style on the Baby Chiefs Special. I didn't believe it was used on anything else.

I'll send Jim Carter (Hondo44) a note and ask him to take a look.

Thanks for posting.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

That is the first style flat latch. Until now I had only seen that style on the Baby Chiefs Special. I didn't believe it was used on anything else.

Jack,

It was also used on the K-frame .38 Military & Police Airweight in the early '50s.

Here's a pdf of the thumbpieces used on Chiefs and Bodyguards through the years. I don't track the Centennials, but I would guess their thumbpieces tracked right along with these J-frames.

Truckman,

Good memory. This is a revised version of my original. New information caused me to swap the order of the 1st and 2nd flat style thumbpieces. As Jack says, the one Messer shows on his Centennial is the 1st style.

 

[JH1951]

Two-Bit's expertise would be welcome here. Everything I know about flat-latches I learned from Bob.
The way I am looking at it is that the Centennial pictured may be wearing the second style flat-latch. The first style has a subtle difference with a more squared-off right/rear end, and is rarely seen in the wild.
One must go half cross-eyed to see the difference, but once it registers with your mind, there it is. Anyway, here are a few pictures to show what I am trying to say:

Second style flat-latch (on Baby Chiefs #6353 - shipped 02/1952) that I think best resembles the very nice Centennial pictured....

First style flat-latch (on Baby Chiefs #101 - shipped 08/1951) where the subtle difference can be noted.... Most obvious is the slightly more squared-off right or rear end.

Looks like Bob posted while I was writing....

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Two-Bit's expertise would be welcome here. Everything I know about flat-latches I learned from Bob.

JH,

New details that surfaced late in 2022 caused me to swap the 1st and 2nd styles.

Five-screw Chiefs Special s/n 111 is the first known with the flat thumbpiece. It shipped in April '51.

Your s/n 101 and my s/n 99 didn't ship till August '51, and they're still the only two Chiefs I've seen with that shorter, blockish thumbpiece.

 

[GSP Fan]

I have a 22/32 Kit gun with the flat latch. Please pardon my ignorance but what was the purpose of this? It's Monday a good day to learn something new

 

[Truckman]

Truckman,

Good memory.

At my age it's good to have something that still works......Ben

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I have a 22/32 Kit gun with the flat latch. Please pardon my ignorance but what was the purpose of this? It's Monday a good day to learn something new

I have yet to see or hear any information to suggest why S&W changed from the contoured to the flat style thumbpiece. With all the tweaks the flat style thumbpiece underwent in its 15-year lifespan it sure appears somebody was convinced it was the right tool for the job.

Within months of Bangor Punta buying controlling interest in the company it took no time at all to revert back to the contoured thumbpiece.

 

[Retired W4]

Jack,

It was also used on the K-frame .38 Military & Police Airweight in the early '50s.

Here's a pdf of the thumbpieces used on Chiefs and Bodyguards through the years. I don't track the Centennials, but I would guess their thumbpieces tracked right along with these J-frames.

Truckman,

Good memory. This is a revised version of my original. New information caused me to swap the order of the 1st and 2nd flat style thumbpieces. As Jack says, the one Messer shows on his Centennial is the 1st style.

Thanks Bob. I added that pdf doc. to my gallery.

 

[Housepuss]

Flat Latch

This is my Centennial shipped in October of 1953. It has the
same 2nd style flat latch as the baby chief shipped 2-52

In the 2nd photo I tried to show a profile of the latch.

 

[Hondo44]

I have yet to see or hear any information to suggest why S&W changed from the contoured to the flat style thumbpiece. With all the tweaks the flat style thumbpiece underwent in its 15-year lifespan it sure appears somebody was convinced it was the right tool for the job.

Within months of Bangor Punta buying controlling interest in the company it took no time at all to revert back to the contoured thumbpiece.

One of many cost cutting attempts we see in the 1950s, but one that didn’t take well and was finally abandoned in 1966. Flat latches weren’t popular and since they still made the contoured thumb piece for all the other frame sizes, they gave up on it.

 

[chief38]

I've got two flat latches (J Frames) but haven't actually seen any in person on K Frames. I guess they were less popular on the larger frame guns.

 

[JP@AK]

I've got two flat latches (J Frames) but haven't actually seen any in person on K Frames. I guess they were less popular on the larger frame guns.

Well, they were only on the Airweight, which was much less popular than the steel frame M&P that became the Model 10.

 

[demkofour]

With the exceptional help of two-bit cowboy, I have identified the flat latches on three of my J Frames- a Centennial from 1953 (3rd. style); an Airweight Chiefs Special from 1957 (5th. style); and a Baby Chiefs Special from 1951 (1st. style).