PRE WAR & TRANSITIONAL KIT GUNS

[Hendricks]

PRE WAR
bright blue finish
sharp cornered borders to checkering
patent dates on barrel
front sight pined to barrel
MADE IN USA on right side of frame
knob on end of extractor rod
flat faced hammer no internal hammer block
1935 gun

TRANSITIOAL
matte blue finish hammer & reboundslide pins polished to frame
rounded corners to checkering borders some will have magna grips
no patent dates on barrel
front sight forged with barrel
4 line adress on right side of frame
no knob on extractor rod
modern type hammer face hammer block working off rebound slide
1952 gun

 

[Hendricks]

PRE WAR
bright blue finish
sharp cornered borders to checkering
patent dates on barrel
front sight pined to barrel
MADE IN USA on right side of frame
knob on end of extractor rod
flat faced hammer no internal hammer block
1935 gun

TRANSITIOAL
matte blue finish hammer & reboundslide pins polished to frame
rounded corners to checkering borders some will have magna grips
no patent dates on barrel
front sight forged with barrel
4 line adress on right side of frame
no knob on extractor rod
modern type hammer face hammer block working off rebound slide
1952 gun

 

[handejector]

NEAT guns.
Thanks for showing the differences on these rare guns.

 

[wordsmith]

Very cool, James. Actually, extra-very cool !!


David

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Positively superb! Thanks for sharing the photos and I am truly envious.

 

[pace40]

Wow...these are outstanding. Thanks

 

[mikepriwer]

The early version of that front sight blade was called a "step-out"
front sight. Some years later, it became known as a NRA sight.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[wayne.byram]

The sight referenced above,was at one time called the USRA sight.
Wayne

 

[Hondo44]

Hendricks,
Do you notice any difference in the cylinder release latches; prewar and early post war? They look the same at 1st glance, both 'sculpted' but the early postwar, 2nd type button, is not relieved under the checkered surface. Your transitional model probably has the solid, semi sculpted early 50's version or third type. Following the flat latch style came the final solid 4th type.

Jim

 

[Hendricks]

Hondo44
The transitional latch is not relieved under the checkered surface the pre war is. Thanks for pointing out the difference.