S&W Side Plate Screws

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I know a 1917 top screw does not want to go the same spot on a late model. I also know that the newer yoke screws with the pointed end are larger than the old style that in several locations on side plate
 
Thread size on the screws in your model 63 could be the same, (5x44) depending on it's production date. Rear sideplate screws were usually a flat top screw, and the front two were crowned.

The new yoke (front) screw in the current production models was changed during the revision of the yoke retention system in 1988-89, and is now larger, (8x32) with a spring and plunger added to secure the yoke.
 
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Screws pre war til approx 1946-48

Side plate and strain screws were cut, made on minimum dimensions til standardized post WW2.
Doc44 told this to me/us on a previous post I did about a yr ago asking about My current strain screw not fitting correctly.issue back then. He informed us
about the factory standardizing pitches and threads
around the 46-48 time frame IIRC. Thanks Doc44..
You will find that post war screws 50's up usually don't work/fit well in pre war Smiths so thread lightly turning screws in..
later screws being larger cut 5-44 than earlier pre war screws. I buy victory or early pre war model plate
and strain screw to have on hand.. If not blued, you can polish them and put a nice cold blue finish on them..
Best Randy..
 
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If you're worried about getting them mixed up after removing the side plate, try this. Get a small piece of cardboard and draw a rough outline of the revolver. Use a pen and punch a hole where the screw goes on the gun, and put the screws in the pen hole.
 
If you go to Brownell's site and search side plate screws, select a S&W screw, you will see a list of all the models that use the same screw. 20+ models use the same screw.
 
If you're worried about getting them mixed up after removing the side plate, try this. Get a small piece of cardboard and draw a rough outline of the revolver. Use a pen and punch a hole where the screw goes on the gun, and put the screws in the pen hole.

That is so incredibly simple that it's brilliant!

Thanks.
 
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