Mysterious notch on barrel underside

[DCWilson]

The barrel modification in these two photos is found in a postwar (late 1940s) S&W target revolver. I presume this is to allow mounting some sort of custom equipment -- compensator, front sight surround -- I'm just guessing.

Does anyone know what's going on here?

David Wilson

 

[walnutred]

My guess would be a muzzle weight. Unless you have one of the rare M14's with folding bayonet ;-D

 

[fiasconva]

Everyone knows it's a barrel stretcher. Once you get a certain age and the sights get fuzzy you can use that notch to stretch out the barrel so you can see the sights better. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist)

 

[Crazy K38]

I think it was from a counter weight being intalled

 

[Nightowl]

Is it a .45 ACP?

Some .45 ACP model 1955's came with a muzzle brake that could be attached. I don't know how as I never saw one in person and I don't know if he barrel was grooved for attachment.

 

[tomcatt51]

I would bet it's for a sling and someone cut off the bottom half.

 

[DCWilson]

Is it a .45 ACP?

Some .45 ACP model 1955's came with a muzzle brake that could be attached. I don't know how as I never saw one in person and I don't know if he barrel was grooved for attachment.

Actually, it's a K-frame -- one of the postwar masterpiece models.

Seems to me the muzzle wear indicates a sleeve went on and off the barrel several times.That transverse channel could accept either a spring-loaded detente bar in the attachment or a small screw or bolt to tighten the arms of whatever slipped over the barrel.

There are other mods on this gun that make me think a previous owner was seriously into micro-tuning for distance accuracy. The trigger has its own overtravel screw in addition to the factory installed trigger block.

 

[Alk8944]

My money is on a sling or stabilizing strap mounting point. There has obviously been a transverse groove cut into the barrel and then a sleeve silver soldered into the groove. Someone had second thoughts and filed it off. The discoloration appears to be cold blue after filing off the sleeve.

The factory muzzle break did not require modification of the gun.

 

[peters45ac]

Hello Everybody,

New guy here with a first post. I happen to own that K-32 revolver but am not the original owner. One of the stories I heard was that it was for a suppressor. Feel welcome to scream "you can't suppress a revolver!". Not trying to debate it, just sharing one of the stories I heard about it. In trying to research the possibility, I found this.

Suppressed Revolver - Gold & Silver Forum

Last year, I called Mr. Roy Jinks to date the K-32 and ask about it. He said anything's possible but that he figured it for a custom barrel weight or compensator. I didn't have pictures of it for him at the time so it was just a guess based off of my humble description. Unfortunately, I've forgoten the year of manufacture.