N frame designation

[donadler]

When did Smith and Wesson officially start using the N frame description?

I said 1907 with the triple lock but was informed that the designation is a retroactive one and there are no pre-war N frames.

Not sure Facebook is the best spot to get accurate info all the time!

 

[Doc44]

At the beginning of Chapter XII in the History of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks, he states the last of the side swing frame size was the N frame, which was originally designed for the 44 caliber revolver. Emerging from this frame were the 44 Triple Lock, .357 Magnum, and 44 Magnum. Based on this, I think your answer of the Triple Lock (in 1908) is correct.

Bill

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I have a S&W screw chart dated 5-20-09 that gives screw dimensions for all the frames at the time. It lists M, I and K but uses .44 HE, not N, for the only large frame being produced. However, the Standard Catalog of S&W, 4th Edition provides this definition in the glossary:

N FRAME: S&W’s largest revolver frame size, introduced
in 1907 on the .44 Triple Lock. Standard for .41, .44,
and .45 caliber revolvers, has also been used for .38 and
.357 Magnum. Models 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 57, 58, 610, 624, 625, 627, and 629. This frame has a
nominal window opening of 1.89” X 1.73.”

 

[RKmesa]

...I said 1907 with the triple lock but was informed that the designation is a retroactive one and there are no pre-war N frames.

Perhaps your Facebook friends were confusing the "N" serial number prefix on the N-Frame guns? In 1970, or there abouts, the "N" SN prefix replaced the "S" prefix when the Factory stamped SN's on the N-Frames. The "S" SN prefix was used to designate the new and improved safety when production on the N-Frames started up post WWII. But as Bill and Guy stated above and as you stated to your FB friends, the "N-Frame" designation for the large frame hand ejectors, began in the early 1900s... Gotta love those N-Frame Triple-Locks!

 

[rct269]

I sure am glad all that's been settled! I ain't exactly sure why I'm glad, I just feel better about things now---never mind I have to go back to paying bills.

Oh well---------

Ralph Tremaine

 

[quinn]

I'm not sure this has been settled. The original question was "when did S&W start using N as an official designation regarding this frame size?" From reading Guy's statement about his screw chart, S&W was not using the N in reference to a frame size in 1909, a year after the TL was introduced. Am I wrong?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Randy, my take on it is they were already using M, I and K as designators for frames. It is likely S&W had already selected N for the .44 HE but the gun was so new, and the only version, they just listed it as the .44 HE.

 

[donadler]

Perhaps your Facebook friends were confusing the "N" serial number prefix on the N-Frame guns? In 1970, or there abouts, the "N" SN prefix replaced the "S" prefix when the Factory stamped SN's on the N-Frames. The "S" SN prefix was used to designate the new and improved safety when production on the N-Frames started up post WWII. But as Bill and Guy stated above and as you stated to your FB friends, the "N-Frame" designation for the large frame hand ejectors, began in the early 1900s... Gotta love those N-Frame Triple-Locks!

I had not thought of that possibility!
When I went to Farcebook to pose that as a possibility, his response and my original comment seem to have disappeared.

 

[handejector]

I have a S&W screw chart dated 5-20-09

Please post a pic!

 

[DARE]

Does not surprise me about Facebook or Farcebook as you said. I don't think they are pro-gun.
I tried to sell a small pocket knife on Facebook. Prohibited merchandise.

 

[donadler]

Does not surprise me about Facebook or Farcebook as you said. I don't think they are pro-gun.
I tried to sell a small pocket knife on Facebook. Prohibited merchandise.

The original *** asking to show prewar N frames is still up, with a few guns shown, including mine.
The post where the fellow said there were no prewar N frames is gone. Perhaps the OP took that part down.
But who knows with FB?