Jeweled hammers and triggers

C

CWH44300

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
3,109
Reaction score
6,005
Location
Maine
I know most of forum brothers highly disapprove of any modifications to the great Smith revolvers, especially jeweling of the hammers and triggers. Years ago it was a pretty common modification to lots of guns. Not just revolvers but some shot guns and rifles would have some parts jeweled.
Some guns had parts jeweled from the factory and they were often thought of as best grade guns. I guess it just shows my age but I really appreciate the lost touch of jeweling.
I was just wiping down the mountain revolver and thought Magnaport did a fantastic job on this one.
Compared to my beater Highway Patrolman
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
OP

I have several revolvers that have jeweled triggers and hammers. I ran my own shop in the 70's and 80's as one of my part time jobs, and I jeweled a bunch of triggers and hammers over the years for customers. Nice work on your's.
 
CWH44300 said:
I know most of forum brothers highly disapprove of any modifications to the great Smith revolvers, especially jeweling of the hammers and triggers.
Click to expand...

Saw lots of jeweling back in the seventies. Hammers, triggers, shotgun and rifle bolts...especially shotgun bolts. I had a Ruger Blackhawk .357 that I had a local smith jewel the hammer for me.

The practice and the look was kinda cool back then, and it still has a somewhat appealing retro look for people who sometimes yearn for the old days. I would buy a gun that had some jeweling on it now, but it isn't something I'd have done now.

Wouldn't mind seeing some more photos of your "beater" Model 28, by the way.
 
WATCHDOG said:
Saw lots of jeweling back in the seventies. Hammers, triggers, shotgun and rifle bolts...especially shotgun bolts. I had a Ruger Blackhawk .357 that I had a local smith jewel the hammer for me.

The practice and the look was kinda cool back then, and it still has a somewhat appealing retro look for people who sometimes yearn for the old days. I would buy a gun that had some jeweling on it now, but it isn't something I'd have done now.

Wouldn't mind seeing some more photos of your "beater" Model 28, by the way.
Click to expand...

Here you go
 
That's gotta be the best looking "beater" HP I've ever seen buddy. It must be awful cold outside today if you're wiping the guns down instead of shootin' them!!:eek: I'd sure like to shoot that Mountain Gun one day. She's a beauty!!!
 
I don't like the look on handguns, but like it on rifle bolts.

On S&W revolvers, I worry that it ruins the surface hardening of hammer & trigger. Ruger parts are hardened all the way through, so should be okay in that respect. But the look is pretty flashy for me on handguns.

I won't buy a jeweled revolver. No telling what's been done to it.
 
Last edited:
75Vette said:
That's gotta be the best looking "beater" HP I've ever seen buddy. It must be awful cold outside today if you're wiping the guns down instead of shootin' them!!:eek: I'd sure like to shoot that Mountain Gun one day. She's a beauty!!!
Click to expand...

Hey Tink Knocker,
Not bad today but its looking like some more snow tomorrow!
Come on up and we'll shoot a bunch of them:D
Just wait till warmer weather

JIW
 
Never cared for external jeweling.
Several years ago I purchased an old 66-1.
It had an exceptionally smooth action.
Outside looked normal:
66-1.jpg

Opened it up as I always do on a used gun.
Surprise:
jeweled.jpg

Then I knew it was something special.
 
TAROMAN said:
Never cared for external jeweling.
Several years ago I purchased an old 66-1.
It had an exceptionally smooth action.
Outside looked normal:
66-1.jpg

Opened it up as I always do on a used gun.
Surprise:
jeweled.jpg

Then I knew it was something special.
Click to expand...

Jeweling, must do more than look good. A lot of old Bridgeport mills have jeweled tables. I am sure it wasn't for looks. Your revolver is another example. Whoever jeweled the inside did it for a reason. I think the theory is it cuts down on friction, and holds oil.
 
Last edited:
eveled said:
Jeweling, must do more than look good. A lot of old Bridgeport mills have jeweled tables. I am sure it wasn't for looks. Your revolver is another example. Whoever jeweled the inside did it for a reason. I think the theory is it cuts down on friction, and holds oil.
Click to expand...

I think evened is on the right track. Although the pattern on the surface of Bridgeport mill tables is probably the evidence of hand scraping rather than jeweling most times, the practice of jeweling working surfaces, especially inside surfaces, has long been a sign of fine craftsmanship. Those swirl patterns indicate that the surface has received a final, very true flat treatment and give the added benefit of holding oil to cut friction. Jeweling on the surface of a shotgun bolt or the bolt of a rifle might indicate extra special care to final fit and finish where they slide through the action. Jeweling inside the action of any fire arm (or a fine watch) says the same thing. Jeweling on the outside of a trigger or hammer is mostly for looks, and doesn't add to the operation of the gun. It MAY indicate similar care inside, but then again it doesn't have to! You pays your money...

Froggie

PS Bigwheelzip's "jeweled" derringer looks like a Bar-B-Que gun for a Jeweler's Convention! ;)
 
Never been fond of jeweling. Not too wild about most gun engraving either. I am old & simple. Give me a clean Plain Jane any day! Fancy Wood, is another story though. Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Finishes on MIM Hammer/Triggers
Replies
3
Views
273
OldLawman
O
yober
A little disappointed in PC triggers that don’t deliver.
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
Model 15-4ever
M
W
SW K-L FRAME HAMMERS
Replies
2
Views
399
UncleEd
U
D
Revolver has 60-14 and 642
Replies
3
Views
95
digital4259
D
W
And this is why we have anomalies
Replies
2
Views
173
walnutred
W

Latest posts

Back
Top