Side plate removal

[50MAG]

What are the tell tell signs that the side plate of a S & W revolver has been taken off ?

 

[50MAG]

What are the tell tell signs that the side plate of a S & W revolver has been taken off ?

 

[coltsr]

Buggered side plate screws is one way.

 

[twomoons]

crinkled, warped, raised edge on top from an inexperienced person. thats where i look also..
and where the hammr falls in to channel. if that corner is nicked, or rounded, the plate has been off. most inexperienced people dont push the hammer back on the stud all the way before it drops into the channel, and rounds the corner of frame

 

[Mickstix]

Buggered screws, pry/tool marks along seams, warped/poorly fitting side plate, washers/spacers on frame bosses, polished internal hammer/trigger parts, poorly fitted internal parts, etc, etc..

 

[robertrwalsh]

Interior packed with wheel bearing grease. (Don't laugh, I found one that way once.)