Jammed up Smith Revolver.....

[Protocall_Design]

It's easy enough to back off the strain screw before removing the side plate, regardless of what state the action is in.

 

[TAROMAN]

Same thing happened to me on a Model 60. Locked up tighter than a tick.
Upon disassembly, I discovered the bolt broken.

 

[jkmo]

Have we found what the problem is yet? I gots to know

 

[Protocall_Design]

Judging from the picture in post #14, which I have somehow missed until now, my guess would be that the hammer was cocked too far back and rode up over the trigger. If that happens, the gun is locked up until you take it apart and untangle the hammer and trigger. If that is what actually happened, it's an easy fix. If you're looking for that, it will be obvious as soon as you get the sideplate off.

 

[AlHunt]

Judging from the picture in post #14, which I have somehow missed until now, my guess would be that the hammer was cocked too far back and rode up over the trigger. If that happens, the gun is locked up until you take it apart and untangle the hammer and trigger. If that is what actually happened, it's an easy fix. If you're looking for that, it will be obvious as soon as you get the sideplate off.

You could be on to something. I went and cocked my 686-4+ and neither the hammer or the trigger sit back that far. The hammer will go that far, but returns to the cocked position.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Same thing happened to me on a Model 60. Locked up tighter than a tick.
Upon disassembly, I discovered the bolt broken.

Gun in question here is a mdl60. I believe the problem could be the bolt or the lock.

 

[H Richard]

It sounds just like a "old per-historic" handgun you mentioned. Handguns (all guns) require routine maintenance, just like automobiles, or other mechanical devices. They need cleaning and lubrication. I'm guessing it is old grease and oil that has turned to varnish/tar inside your revolver and/or dried up so much the metallic parts just won't move until cleaned and lubed. The internals of a revolver can be damaged if you don't know what you are doing. I recommend taking to a gunsmith to diagnose and treat.

 

[Dan W. Cady]

You should be able to manipulate the thumb piece to release cylinder. This is only thing that would prevent cylinder from opening. Also hold up to light and see if there is clearance between cylinder face and forcing cone.

May be as simple as an ejector rod that has come loose and jammed the works.

 

[kbm6893]

May be as simple as an ejector rod that has come loose and jammed the works.

Or a bit of dirt or powder under the ejector star that is gumming it up.