KC RM HBH Question

[Onomea]

I am a bit behind the learning curve on these, so bear with me:

It seems to me that I have read here that it is not known whether KC RMs (or NRMs) were shipped from the factory with humpback hammers or not. Some speculate that the HBHs were added later when the guns were shipped back to the factory after decommissioning, if I recall correctly.

I suppose they could have been shipped back piecemeal for HBHs during their active working lives, but I think that very unlikely. I suppose it also possible that the KCPD could have ordered enough HBHs from the factory to have its own armorers install them, but that also strikes me as very unlikely.

Further, IIRC, all KC RMs have HBHs. The confusion as to when the HBHs showed up on the guns arises because factory records do not mention the HBHs, and neither do the Jinks letters as he can't cite non existent info.

Recently, through the good graces of a forum member, I was able to acquire a KC RM. It has clearly been refinished, perhaps more than once, as is usual for these guns. But there are no factory rework markings on the grip frame.

So, seems to me that the most likely scenario is that they all shipped originally to KC with HBHs.

Make sense?

 

[Onomea]

I am a bit behind the learning curve on these, so bear with me:

It seems to me that I have read here that it is not known whether KC RMs (or NRMs) were shipped from the factory with humpback hammers or not. Some speculate that the HBHs were added later when the guns were shipped back to the factory after decommissioning, if I recall correctly.

I suppose they could have been shipped back piecemeal for HBHs during their active working lives, but I think that very unlikely. I suppose it also possible that the KCPD could have ordered enough HBHs from the factory to have its own armorers install them, but that also strikes me as very unlikely.

Further, IIRC, all KC RMs have HBHs. The confusion as to when the HBHs showed up on the guns arises because factory records do not mention the HBHs, and neither do the Jinks letters as he can't cite non existent info.

Recently, through the good graces of a forum member, I was able to acquire a KC RM. It has clearly been refinished, perhaps more than once, as is usual for these guns. But there are no factory rework markings on the grip frame.

So, seems to me that the most likely scenario is that they all shipped originally to KC with HBHs.

Make sense?

 

[DWFAN]

Mine lettered with a HBH but alas went back to the factory for a rebuild which resulted in newer rear sight and the hammer was changed. Nothing in the letter to indicate why. Roy speculates the factory thought it was doing the customer a favor by updateing the gun. There have also been instanses of rollmarks being added. GRRRRR.
DW

 

[JayCeeNC]

I have a KCPD non-RM and a factory letter.
The gun has not been refinished, and has no factory service date stamped inside the grip frame.
It has a standard hammer, and Mr. Jinks's letter does not mention a HBH on this gun.

 

[Onomea]

Thanks, guys. Another hare-brained theory bites the dust! (As with most hare-brained theories, based on a misunderstanding of the facts!)

 

[DHENRY]

John,
That's a fine photo of your KC RM.
Good work!
Don

 

[JayCeeNC]

Thanks, Don.
As a side note, my KCPD non-RM shipped with the Magna grips, but with Baughman Ramp and square notch rear sight. The sights were changed sometime during it's life.

 

[Memphis]

Mine came to me with a HBH, however it had a broken tip

and not on the gun at this time. It was replaced with a transitional grooved hammer. I still have the chipped one but sure wish I could find an intact one to have installed on my KCPD. It does seem that the KC guns predominantly have the humpback.

Roger

 

[bettis1]

Originally posted by JayCeeNC:
I have a KCPD non-RM and a factory letter.
The gun has not been refinished, and has no factory service date stamped inside the grip frame.
It has a standard hammer, and Mr. Jinks's letter does not mention a HBH on this gun.

Ditto mine. Exactly as John's.

Bob

 

[Guest]

A recent "Statement" made by Roy was that when a gun, pre War, was returned to the Factory for whatever reason - Post War - the pre War Magnas were removed and replaced with the newer version. This was done as a courtesy to the Customer unless no such change was specifically requested. This was called "Customer Service" and I'm very sure many of the Customers were delighted to get a Brand Spanking New Set of Grips on their gun without any additional charge!!!

I have shipped a number of guns back for Factory Service and was very pleased to have a bit of extra work done without charge. Recently I shipped a "Centennial"(Serial Number 100X) back for a broken hammer pin. The Factory replaced the hammer pin at no charge and offered to refinish the revolver for a modest fee - I told them Thanks but No Thanks, as this gun was in 98%+ original finish. But, I will say they did ask before automatically refinishing.

I have also gotten guns returned with Brand new boxes and some complete with new cleaning kits. At the time I was happy to get this little extra Service from the Company but now I know where some of those original boxes "disappeared" to over the years!

Having worked in a Firearms Factory myself I know that it was just good policy to give the customer the newest "up graded" parts when their gun was returned for whatever reason. Early barrels were changed out, the "new style" mainspring housings were installed, new magazines were returned, etc. etc. etc. Never knew of a single customer complaint to say "Hey, why didn't you leave that old barrel in my gun? It might be a collector item some day!!!"

Mike

 

[j38]

Mine has a humpback hammer (I believe), and Roy's letter never mentioned anything at all about the hammer it shipped with - even though pics were included with my request for a letter. Regards, Jerry

 

[rburg]

We've discussed this at length in the past. The simple fact is that we don't know the answer.

We try to think our way thru it, but logic doesn't yield the answers everyone seeks. In the past I've had a number of the guns. All of them had HBH, except the one I've got that has a King kind of modded double cockeye. It does have the groves, so its clearly made from an original RM hammer.

What most of us that have collected the guns feel is that the hammers were originally supplied that way. We can't prove it.