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Hi There,
I have an relatively early Number 3 American and I was making
a new extractor return spring for it and I was intrigued by
something I read in regards to the early cylinder retainer and
barrel catch. In the Neal and Jinks book: Smith & Wesson 1857
- 1945 A Handbook for Collectors on page 160, it says:
"The bottom of the extractor housing was drilled with a vent
or oil hole until between serial numbers 1450 and 1537, at
which time it was eliminated. Within this same serial range
the barrel catch and cylinder retainer were changed. The old
type catch had a flat bottom section below the catch screw
in conjunction with the cylinder retainer having a flat upper
surface. The new type catch had a round bottom section
below the catch screw in conjunction with a cylinder retainer
I have a No. 3 in the 2200 range and I have the round bottom
barrel catch BUT the cylinder retainer has the flat upper surface.
I'm pretty sure the barrel catch is original, having the correct
assembly/fitting code that matches the rest of the gun and
has the rounded bottom under the screw but my cylinder
retainer is the older type with the flat top surface. This doesn't
agree with the statement from the Neal and Jinks book. Has
anyone else observed this situation before?
Also, I've never seen an example of the "flat bottom" barrel
catch before. Can someone post a pic of one?
Cheers!
Webb
I have an relatively early Number 3 American and I was making
a new extractor return spring for it and I was intrigued by
something I read in regards to the early cylinder retainer and
barrel catch. In the Neal and Jinks book: Smith & Wesson 1857
- 1945 A Handbook for Collectors on page 160, it says:
"The bottom of the extractor housing was drilled with a vent
or oil hole until between serial numbers 1450 and 1537, at
which time it was eliminated. Within this same serial range
the barrel catch and cylinder retainer were changed. The old
type catch had a flat bottom section below the catch screw
in conjunction with the cylinder retainer having a flat upper
surface. The new type catch had a round bottom section
below the catch screw in conjunction with a cylinder retainer
having a notched upper surface." [Emphasis Added]
I have a No. 3 in the 2200 range and I have the round bottom
barrel catch BUT the cylinder retainer has the flat upper surface.
I'm pretty sure the barrel catch is original, having the correct
assembly/fitting code that matches the rest of the gun and
has the rounded bottom under the screw but my cylinder
retainer is the older type with the flat top surface. This doesn't
agree with the statement from the Neal and Jinks book. Has
anyone else observed this situation before?
Also, I've never seen an example of the "flat bottom" barrel
catch before. Can someone post a pic of one?
Cheers!
Webb
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