Model 48 Double Cylinder?

[SP45]

Note the 2 that was factory stamped above the model and serial number. Does this designate a two cylinder gun.


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[VM]

Note the 2 that was factory stamped above the model and serial number. Does this designate a two cylinder gun.


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No, it's a inspector or fitters mark

 

[cruiserdan]

I'm not sure S&W ever sold a Model 48 with two cylinders. In 1959 my Dad bought this gun and a new Model 17 cylinder. He re-cammed the 17 cylinder himself. This is one of my most prized possessions.

 

[murphydog]

A dual-cylinder model 48 was offered as a special order, but unless you are the original owner the only way to be certain it came that way would be a factory letter. Of course, while the cylinder was available it could have been a retrofit from the factory gunsmiths.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

I'm not sure S&W ever sold a Model 48 with two cylinders. In 1959 my Dad bought this gun and a new Model 17 cylinder. He re-cammed the 17 cylinder himself. This is one of my most prized possessions.

This MDL 48 came with both cylinders. FYI-

 

[cruiserdan]

A dual-cylinder model 48 was offered as a special order, but unless you are the original owner the only way to be certain it came that way would be a factory letter. Of course, while the cylinder was available it could have been a retrofit from the factory gunsmiths.

Great information. At the time my dad bought the one above that option was not available so he "made his own". this one is a no-dash with right hand ejector rod threads.

 

[CALREB]

I have a friend who just bought (a few months ago) an early/mid 90's 648, it came with 2 cylinders, I will get the box info if someone has the same to compare.
I think the box says "special" but alot of boxes have that . The original sales receipt, from the Revolver Club store states with aux 22 cal cylinder.
Its a beautiful gun hardly fired, original box/doc/etc. I will see if I can get some photos of it sometime. We tried to check the Standard Catalog, and other sources but I could never find any run of guns offered by S/W that came with an AUX cylinder. So maybe the club ordered it that way. The seller was the original owner , he said thats the way it was offered in the store when he bought it. The owner is a retired officer who is friends with all of us. He always sells his guns for what he bought them for regardless, this one went for 4 bills with 6 boxes of 22 magnum ammo. The last one I bought from him 4" 624, box doc/tools etc ,I had to force him to take 300., cause when he opened the box the original receipt was for 285 . Thats just the way he is but we dont buy them for resale and he knows it ,.Bob

 

[murphydog]

I'm not sure S&W ever sold a Model 48 with two cylinders. In 1959 my Dad bought this gun and a new Model 17 cylinder. He re-cammed the 17 cylinder himself. This is one of my most prized possessions.

Very nice! Fitting the ratchet (the little teeth on the extractor star) is one of the most difficult procedures in assembly, so your dad is/was quite skilled.

 

[model48mag]

as to retro-fit cylinders, I have three 48-4's(4, 6, 8 3/8) that were returned to the factory as NIB and all three were fitted with aux. 22 LR cylinders.....still in safe. I also have a 48-0 that was factory original with an auxiliary 22LR cylinder, per the original owner(no box...darn). I would speculate that more were done as a return/refit than were sold as coming from the factory, but I have yet to see a box indicating 'from the factory'.....on its label.

 

[SuperMan]

Have had two 6" and one 4" that all came with extra Long Rifle cylinders... Also had an 8 3/8" that I had a cylinder fitted to.

Never realized these were a special order or had to be returned to the factory...

Bob

 

[JKT119]

mr.

my model 48 also only has 22 mag cylinder, I have an extra model 17 cylinder. Why cant i use it for 22LR in the model 48. i know bore is .002 larger but still should work .Right?? mr ken

 

[153]

my model 48 also only has 22 mag cylinder, I have an extra model 17 cylinder. Why cant i use it for 22LR in the model 48. i know bore is .002 larger but still should work .Right?? mr ken

My question as well, I have a model 51 and would like an LR cylinder for it.

 

[Murdock]

It will absolutely work if fitted properly. I have been very happy with mine. Accuracy is good, and the LR cylinder lives on the gun, with the WRM cylinder living on a shelf in the safe. If I go out later this season to try to stalk a snowshoe hare in the snow I'll put the magnum cylinder in.

In my hands the difference in bore diameters between calibers is not apparent. I suspect that the make of .22LR ammo will make more difference in accuracy than .001 variation in bore size.

Mine is a refit; I found an unissued M17 cylinder and sent it back to the mother ship for installation about 1995. My first call indicated they no longer performed that service. When I called back later they said "Sure. Send it in." A very satisfactory and functional addition to the gun.

 

[shotguntom]

My 4 inch 48 has dual cylinders. The 22LR cylinder has the serial number engraved on it
If i push the ejector rod out I can read it under the extractor.

 

[flintsghost]

I had a model 53 .22 Jet that I bought brand new in the box that came with a fitted 22LR cylinder as well as the inserts. That's the way it went out the door at S&W and the box was cut out for the spare cylinder. Over the years I have owned a 4" Model 48 with a spare fitted cylinder as well as a 650 and two 651" and one 51. For someone to say they didn't come that way is pure ignorance.

 

[SuperMan]

My question as well, I have a model 51 and would like an LR cylinder for it.

Very easy...just find a Model 34 cylinder of the same era as your gun and have it fitted by a competent smith...

Back about 8 years ago I bought a 51 from the estate of a friend. Found a 34 cylinder and had a local smith fit it....sold the gun about two years ago and bought $905.00...