S&W Airweight questions

[FightinTitan]

I own a S&W Airweight. Inside of frame next to yoke is stamped "Mod 37"; right side of 2" barrel is marked "AIRWEIGHT," second line "38.SPL CTG." Bottom of grips is stamped "AWT6421." There are no marking on the inside of the yoke.

I think this was made after 1960. It is nickel finish which I eventually want to send to S&W to redo at a later date.

I am missing the ejector rod extension that butts up against a spring-loaded detent under the barrel, then goes through the yoke and into the ejector in the cylinder. The cylinder and ejector are with the weapon. The ejector rod is a tight fit down the center of that cylinder, although the ejector operates smoothly. I remember there being a very short nickel-plated ejector rod with a knurled end that went into the yoke and engaged the front of the ejector via fine threads. I'm also missing a spring and apparently a pin that went down the center of the ejector rod, emerges at the back, and must have a small button on the end that protrudes through the ejector star and bears on the catch at the center of the back plate, next to the pawl that advances the cylinder when the trigger is pulled. The "catch" I'm referring to is what cycles the cylinder release back when the cylinder is closed into battery in the frame.

I need the proper nomenclature of everything other than the ejector itself if I am going to find replacement parts.

I'm also curious about how old this thing is. I've never seen markings anywhere like those I've described on this weapon's butt. Does anyone have any info on this or where replacement parts can be obtained? Thanks!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Here is a link with a schematic of your gun; you should be able to ID the parts and Numrich may even have them in stock:

Smith & Wesson Model 37 Revolver Parts, Schematics | Numrich

Prefix AWT appears to be from early 1987.

 

[JP@AK]

Your revolver, serial number AWT6421, was made in 1987. The 3 alpha serial numbers were introduced in the early 1980s; the exact year varies by model. But AWT was used in 1987.

Someone else will have to help you with the extractor parts.

 

[FightinTitan]

Thanks, I'll call that up and have a look. I looked at Brownell's which had an exploded diagram and the SKU for the part - but no nomenclature!!

Will get back.

 

[JimCunn]

You can download an exploded view with parts names listed.

For thae actual parts try Numrichs, Brownell, or Midwest.

 

[rogerwnuss]

Can I ask ... .how in the world did you lose what is essentially a part of the gun and is not supposed to be taken off ......not raggin' on ya, just curious how that happens....

 

[gerhard1]

Can I ask ... .how in the world did you lose what is essentially a part of the gun and is not supposed to be taken off ......not raggin' on ya, just curious how that happens....

It almost happened to me with an L-frame. The extractor rod worked loose under recoil and in the process of trying to tighten it, I did not know that the threads are reversed and the thing came apart on me.

Luckily, I saw the schematic from Gun Parts Corporation and was able to get everything back in place.

Later, I got the right tool and was able to tighten the rod properly so it doesn't work loose any more.

I'm lucky I didn't lose any of the parts.