larryofcc
Absent Comrade
I have a couple S 9XXXXX numbered late M&P's. How do you tell if it is a short action compared to a long action? Something with the configuration of the hammer? Need pics please. Thanks, Big Larry
Hammer types
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handejector
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Lee's pictures tell the story quite well.
I will note that when the short action was introduced in 1948, S&W called it a "High Speed Hammer." On the M&P it first shows up around serial number S990000. The lowest number in my database with the High Speed hammer is S990806 and it shipped in March, 1948.
The long action shown in Lee's second photo is not really a "transitional" hammer. It is the same hammer configuration used on the M&P for the first 50 years of production.
I will note that when the short action was introduced in 1948, S&W called it a "High Speed Hammer." On the M&P it first shows up around serial number S990000. The lowest number in my database with the High Speed hammer is S990806 and it shipped in March, 1948.
The long action shown in Lee's second photo is not really a "transitional" hammer. It is the same hammer configuration used on the M&P for the first 50 years of production.
DWalt
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Some call the earlier hi-speed hammer style as pictured either the “fish hook” or “sculpted” hammer.
How close the back of the hammer is to the frame is a quick way if looking at pics
Larry
In my database, I only show one with a higher serial number than yours that has the long action. It is S996765, has a 6" barrel and shipped in June, 1948. There probably are others but I have not cataloged them.
Question on early hammers.
I understand from other posts that the early, long action hammers were stamped referencing the patent that covered the color case hardening.
When did Smith stop applying these patent references no their hammers and triggers ? Please advise.
I understand from other posts that the early, long action hammers were stamped referencing the patent that covered the color case hardening.
When did Smith stop applying these patent references no their hammers and triggers ? Please advise.
I THINK they stopped at the beginning of WW II.
DWalt
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I am uncertain there is any way to be sure, but I believe the patent marking ceased when S&W started turning out military revolvers in large quantity in mid-1940. It became just another unnecessary manufacturing operation to slow things down.
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VaTom
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Checked SCSW 4th Edition page 493. Patent markings on hammer and trigger on K & N frames began in June 1926 and dropped during WII production. It was there for the case hardening process and not design. I think patents are good for 20 years so that would about coincide with the expiration of the patent.
Post War Transitional Hammers:
The K frames and reintroduced N frames after WWII were first improved with the new post war sliding bar hammer block safety and known as Transitional models which used the pre war hammer style but notched for the new hammer block.
The speed action was the next design improvement on all post war K and N frames. The K frame's target hammer was the first post war version of the high speed hammer, it also had a semi-wide target spur. It's unique turned up hammer spur is what garnered the collector's nickname of "fishhook hammer". K frame target models are the only models that had it. The fixed sight K and all N frame models had high speed actions and high speed hammers, but with narrow spurs and not shaped like fishhooks.
The speed action was implemented on K frames in 1946 (K targets only), 1948 (K fixed sights) and all N frames on the Models of 1950, using speed action hammers.
The K “fishhook” target hammer lasted until just after the mid '50s when they were replaced by the standard target hammer with semi-wide spur we see today and the optional 1/2" wide target hammer.
NOTE: The POST WWII Short Action alternately labeled by S&W as the “High Speed Hammer” and “Short Cocking Action” had been pioneered on the pre war 1940 K22 Masterpiece which still used a standard looking pre war hammer (most with a unique step on the back of the hammer).
Photos in this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...arget-masterpiece.html?posted=1#post140203715
The K frames and reintroduced N frames after WWII were first improved with the new post war sliding bar hammer block safety and known as Transitional models which used the pre war hammer style but notched for the new hammer block.
The speed action was the next design improvement on all post war K and N frames. The K frame's target hammer was the first post war version of the high speed hammer, it also had a semi-wide target spur. It's unique turned up hammer spur is what garnered the collector's nickname of "fishhook hammer". K frame target models are the only models that had it. The fixed sight K and all N frame models had high speed actions and high speed hammers, but with narrow spurs and not shaped like fishhooks.
The speed action was implemented on K frames in 1946 (K targets only), 1948 (K fixed sights) and all N frames on the Models of 1950, using speed action hammers.
The K “fishhook” target hammer lasted until just after the mid '50s when they were replaced by the standard target hammer with semi-wide spur we see today and the optional 1/2" wide target hammer.
NOTE: The POST WWII Short Action alternately labeled by S&W as the “High Speed Hammer” and “Short Cocking Action” had been pioneered on the pre war 1940 K22 Masterpiece which still used a standard looking pre war hammer (most with a unique step on the back of the hammer).
Photos in this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...arget-masterpiece.html?posted=1#post140203715
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To illustrate Hondo44's statement, here is a special order .38 Combat Masterpiece with a 5" barrel that shipped in October, 1952. It has the High Speed Hammer with the "fishhook" shaped spur.
I read between the lines, this fine example is missing the patent stamp as it's a post war example. Kindly confirm the patent stamp is missing. TK's
Elroy
Yes, of course it is. I have never seen a hammer with the patent mark on any postwar M&Ps and I have examined hundreds, perhaps thousands, of them.
Yes, of course it is. I have never seen a hammer with the patent mark on any postwar M&Ps and I have examined hundreds, perhaps thousands, of them.
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