S&W Expert Need on Smith Wesson Screwdriver/SAT type Tool Id

[sethconnor]

I recently acquired a Smith and Wesson fluted tool/punch. Not sure exactly what this went with or if it was it part of a gunsmith tool kit sold by Smith and Wesson. Possibly came with a specific S&W firearm? Its fluted handle is slightly smaller in diameter and length than a regular fluted SAT tool with a small dimple on the blunt flat end. Searched web with no luck on finding a comparable. Any assistance by the board forum experts in identifying this tool would be appreciated. Photos attached compare it with a regular SAT screwdriver and also display the punch/dimple end.

Thanks in advance!

Sethconnor

 

[ditrina]

This should help..

Sight Adjustment Tool Identification (screwdrivers) - Smith & Wesson Forum

 

[sethconnor]

Thanks so much for the prompt response. Unless I missed it I don't think this punch tool was in link. It has a SAT handle but no blade just a cone with a dimple. Again thank you.

 

[sethconnor]

Addition photos of tool end







View attachment 144476

More photos of cone shaped end with dimple.
Thanks

 

[Toyman]

The S&W sight adjustment tools were fairly soft and I don't think would work good as a punch.

 

[sethconnor]

I totally agree which is why I am puzzled by it. At first I thought someone modified a SAT/screwdriver, but upon inspection this is definitely a factory made tool. Also the fact the handle is smaller in both length and diameter from a fluted SAT of the same era is interesting. I definitely seems to be a specific purpose tool perhaps for a specific S&W gun. Maybe S&W made a million of them but I have never seen one before.

Thanks so much for your comments and insight.

Sethconnor

 

[sethconnor]

I also thought it might be a SAT that escaped the factory with the blued shaft unfinished (basically a "blank"). However, the fact that its totally smaller than other fluted SATs and the tip was definitely precision manufactured in a tapered partial cone shape with a perfectly finished micro dimple on the end seems to kill the partially manufactured theory. Maybe it was designed to hold or depress a pin in place rather than to act as a punch???

 

[sethconnor]

I could find nothing on this tool in the S&W Standard Catalog either.

 

[-db-]

One of these has recently been listed at a low price on eBay and gone unsold for at least two auction cycles that I'm aware of. I suspect that if it were some sort of rare factory tool of some type, the more serious collectors would have jumped on it, thus I'm inclined to believe it's just a blank or rejected part. Anyone with toolroom or machining experience sees all kinds of things like this.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I'll post pictures later.
I think it is an unfinished screwdriver. I'd be more than happy to swap you two finished ones for it.

 

[saemetric]

Looks like tool to stake the wind age screw nut on rear sight. Not sure if factory or homemade.

 

[sethconnor]

First of all I want to thank everyone on the board for their input. I am in fact the individual that purchased this tool listed on ebay recently. I have a full collection of mint SATs from the 1940s to 1980s (except for that elusive prewar one!) and have never seen anything like this one.

I have inspected it under high magnification and I am absolutely convinced it is not an altered, unfinished SAT or homemade based on the following:

1) Its handle is identical in design to my many other fluted era SATs but handle is literally a slightly smaller scale (not cut, modified or altered in any way) but just smaller in length and diameter. In other words it is slightly miniature version to all my other short and long tapered S&W fluted era SATs. However, its black oxide shaft is approximately the same length as the same era SATs. If some one modified a regular fluted SAT version, it would be visibly shorter than its flat bladed counterparts...this one is not at all shorter or cut down so to speak.

2) Black oxide on shaft is consistent from tip to handle. It has not been ground using a SAT shaft. Again tip is precision made tapered cone with a perfect dimple end. What ever this tool was used for it is pretty obviously a S&W factory made piece with an intended function/use...I just don't know what that intended function/use is. It does look like it was designed to hold or push (perhaps a sight adjustment/windage) something and not punch a pin or to be struck with a hammer.

Again I want to extend my sincere thanks for everyone's input/observation/advice. I'm just really curious as to what I have here. I will post some higher resolution photos soon to give everyone a good visual of what I am talking about on scale/size difference aspect as well as precision machinist work on tip.


Thanks! Sethconnor

 

[VARMINT POPPER]

Could it be a SAT that was assembled with the screwdriver end
inserted backward ?

Good Shooting

Lindy

 

[-db-]

Could it be a SAT that was assembled with the screwdriver end
inserted backward ?

Good Shooting

Lindy

I thought of the same thing and inspected one I have with a loose shaft that I can remove. The non-working end hidden in the aluminum handle is squared with a small somewhat rough chamfer on it, perhaps done by hand, and not tapered like sethconnor's. There is also no dimple, thus these were likely saw cut and not cut off with a parting tool on a lathe. Finally, the driver end, due to a slight flare, will not fit inside the handle backwards.

 

[RWJ]

Slave pin or pin punch?

I really have no idea, but from looking at the taper, it could be a slave pin to help line up some thing like the hammer on an AR or similar, while the regular pin is inserted in the other side, pushing it back out.

The other thought is a hand punch to remove trigger group pins on a shotgun, like the S&W 3000, which should only require hand pushing pressure, and not a hammer or mallet. I won't link to a live auction, but there's a good view of the end of trigger group pins in one of the views of a 3000 for sale on GB.

The shaft diameter may be the clue.

Just some random thoughts.

 

[sethconnor]

Higher Resolution Photos of tool

Thanks guys for taking time to comment. I was in error earlier when I described the tip of the tool as a "dimple" as it actually is "convex" or "protrudes" out. I have attached several higher definition photos of the tool alone and with others.

Again I very much appreciate everyone's help and comments on assisting me in identifying the tool.

Sethconnor

 

[sethconnor]

Additional photos of tool plus comparison lineup

Thanks again!

New tool is 3rd from right in my comparison line-up.

Sethconnor

 

[RWJ]

Spelling error....

Thanks guys for taking time to comment. I was in error earlier when I described the tip of the tool as a "dimple" as it actually is "convex" or "protrudes" out. I have attached several higher definition photos of the tool alone and with others.

Again I very much appreciate everyone's help and comments on assisting me in identifying the tool.

Sethconnor

You just used the wrong first letter - you meant "pimple" instead of "dimple"!......Nothing but a typo.

 

[Jerry N.]

I'm no expert but to me it just looks like an unfinished screwdriver. The taper is to get the tip to the right size before grinding the flats (which obviously) was never done. Look how all your other screwdrivers have that same taper as you move toward the tip. I'm not sure how the taper was created but I think the pimple is just left over metal from the machining, not something that had a purpose. Again, no expert, but that's my guess. You might have to get hold of S&W to confirm what exactly that is.

 

[sethconnor]

Yes that is exactly right!

There were a couple of ways to describe it that were somewhat gross or obscene after I thought about it so I went for the safest path...as usual it was the wrong path