M&P Target 38 - Odd Hammer Checkering

[fleabus101]

The orignal posters picture with the side plate removed put a question in my mind to ask
the members that have experience w these
early long actions.
My question is ..Are the early DA sears interchangeable between N ans K hammers as
they are on the later short action K L N
Hammers?
I have a new 1917 model N hammer that I need
to locate the DA sear and pin for..The stirrups
are the same I believe between the early
hammers. Are the DA action K & N sears the same?
Thanks for letting me interject my question
guys.
Best Randy..

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have this one, certainly one of the same breed. The factory letter mentions that it was shipped with a "humpback" hammer. Serial number is 6771XX; it left S&W on June 7, 1939.

John

 

[handejector]

The checkering on your hammer is no big mystery. The cross cuts on the rear portion simply did not get cut well. All the cuts should be the same depth.

Any K or N frame model could be ordered with a HBH except for the K-22/40. I've owned numerous K Targets with the HBH, and currently have an M&P with one.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Any K or N frame model could be ordered with a HBH except for the K-22/40.

I've seen pictures of a .22 Outdoorsman from 1939 that lettered with a humpback hammer.


And, I thought I saw a K-22/40 recently with one...interesting. Learn something every day here.

 

[SFIDEC]

Here are a couple of straight-on pictures for evaluation. All I know is I've about gone cross eyed trying to take pictures of a checkering illusion.
Only posting right side picture of grip frame as there are no markings/stampings on left side.
Mr. Jinks has provided me with ship date of December 1939.
Thanks for all the great input and comments!
Ray

 

[Modified]

I've seen pictures of a .22 Outdoorsman from 1939 that lettered with a humpback hammer.


And, I thought I saw a K-22/40 recently with one...interesting. Learn something every day here.

Yep, heck I just got the letter back on my HBH K22-OD, which went out with the hammer:

Major R.O. Bassett Jr's HBH K-22 OD - Update: It lettered!

Also, fun fact. When you stand a K22 HBH on it's side it looks like a horse!

 

[Muley Gil]

The orignal posters picture with the side plate removed put a question in my mind to ask
the members that have experience w these
early long actions.
My question is ..Are the early DA sears interchangeable between N ans K hammers as
they are on the later short action K L N
Hammers?
I have a new 1917 model N hammer that I need
to locate the DA sear and pin for..The stirrups
are the same I believe between the early
hammers. Are the DA action K & N sears the same?
Thanks for letting me interject my question
guys.
Best Randy..

I probably have an extra DA sear in my parts box. I'm sure I don't have a new one though. PM me if interested.

 

[fleabus101]

Sending you a PM..Thanks Buddy..

 

[goatsnguns]

I have an M&P with the Humpback hammer that was shipped June 1938. The back half of the hammer spur is also not cut as deep across as the front half. Was the checkering done by hand? Or was it a machine operation that had two setups for the two angled planes of the spur? If so maybe the operator did not fully engage the machine for the second operation for the back half of the hammer spur.

This is purely a wild guess on my part. Like all things S&W... maybe, maybe not. I hope I don't stay awake tonight trying to figure this out!

 

[Hondo44]

The checkering on the hammer spur is case hardened of course, therefore too hard to be cut deeper with a checkering file unless the hammer spur is annealed.

But I would complete the checkering with a V shaped stone of proper angle which will cut the case hardened surface. There's enough of the grooves there to use as a guide to deepen them and complete the checkering pattern with the stone; nice easy flat surface. Piece o' cake.

Or even easier with a little more skill, 'dress down' a cut off wheel to the proper sharp angle, clamp the Dremel tool in a vise, and hold the 'work' in hand.

I wouldn't leave as is on such a nice gun and special hammer if it were mine.

 

[handejector]

My 6" M&P, # 670XXX shipped in May 1938. It has a HBH that may or may not be original- have not lettered it yet.
It has the same lousy checkering as the OP's.
I thought all Pre-War guns were perfect, and they only made mistakes nowadays!!?!?! I'm dismayed to learn they made mistakes back then.