Pre-18

[MrTrolleyguy]

This interesting piece just sold on the classified forum. Could some members comment on it. The hammer and trigger types are new to me. In fact pre-18s are new to me.

BTW Congratulations to the buyer

Thanks in advance.
Trolley

 

[Camster]

Looks to be a standard K22 combat masterpiece,aka pre 18,wearing a trigger shoe( a fairly common accessory added to guns of that era).Typical rimfire hammer.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Your gun is in a standard configuration.

The box end label shows the nomenclature for that model before the collectors started calling the non-model marked guns 'Pre'.

bdGreen

thanks for the info...but you realize that is not my gun.

 

[Hondo44]

The hammer was used after the war until c. 1955 and called the "Speed Hammer" by S&W. On target guns it came with a wide traget hammer spur like the one you show.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The gun in the pic is wearing a trigger shoe that attaches with 2 very small allen screws.

 

[H Richard]

Be cautious about the trigger shoe, if you holster the gun the shoe may catch on the holster and cause an accidental discharge. It is not common, but it has happened and the reason back in the 50's most police departments insisted no trigger shoes were to be used on dept. revolvers.

 

[Engine49guy]

The hammer was used after the war until c. 1955 and called the "Speed Hammer" by S&W. On target guns it came with a wide traget hammer spur like the one you show.

Activating my OCD early today,
Actually that hammer style was called the "S&W High Speed Hammer" sometimes referred to as a "Fishhook hammer".

S&W trigger/hammer combos have changed a bit through the years and there are quite a few different hammer spur styles.
Back in the 50's 60's many shooters wanted bigger so S&W offered .500 wide versions as an option, for those that didnt want to swap their OEM trigger the trigger shoe was an aftermarket option.
Around the 80's there was a move towards smooth triggers which are much easier on the finger and semi target hammers which are less likely to snag on clothing or pinch the hand.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Pardon my ignorance on this subject. What advantence was the S&W "Speed Hammer" and/or trigger shoe suppose to give? And what about fitting.

Thanks in advance for any more info.
Trolley

 

[Engine49guy]

What advantence was the S&W "Speed Hammer" and/or trigger shoe suppose to give? And what about fitting.

Thanks in advance for any more info.
Trolley

After WWII S&W changed from the pre war "Long Action" to the new "Short action" design, The advantage was the shooter didnt need to cock the hammer as far which roughly translates to a faster firing rate ,
The new hammer spur was apparently designed to cock quicker than its predecessor thus the name "High Speed Hammer".

Aftermarket co.s offered widened hammer spurs prior to 1950 and S&W probably saw an opportunity there and began offering a wide spur target hammer as an option in 1950 in the AMC (All Model circular).

Triggers usually interchange between N and K frame revolvers with some fitting but hammers are frame specific.

Personally I find the .500 trigger and hammer too wide preferring the smooth combat trigger and semi target hammer spur.