Small hole in frames?

[olschool]

So, I called S&W today and talked to a Tech that works there. Yup, he knew what it was. And the winner is...Armorer951's! The Tech said they were "indexing marks for when they were being milled". The part that is most amazing to me is that I don't recall ever seeing them before. Guys, I'm not trying to brag here, but I've been around guns a lot in my years, even worked at a few gun shops. So, guess you can "teach an old dog new tricks". But in my defense, being old, maybe I forgot haha. THANKS Guys for all the help.[/COLOR]
------PLEASE SEE PICS.--------Help. I have been around guns my whole life, so I would like to think I have gain some knowledge. But with that said... I just noticed that there is a very small hole in the inside of the frame up front where the yoke is. This is on the inside angle area of the frame (like where you would look for a firecut on the top).
This is on my "no dash model 37", it is also on my "19-3".
Soooo, what's your thoughts?
THANKS

 

[CoMF]

If it's near the forcing cone, I'll hazard a guess it's the through hole that S&W drills and taps for the screw that secures the adjustable sight.

 

[Twiki357]

Pictures would help. I just checked my 37 no dash and 19-3 and there are no holes of any kind.

Maybe someone else will have a better reply for you.

 

[Sconnie]

If it's near the forcing cone, I'll hazard a guess it's the through hole that S&W drills and taps for the screw that secures the adjustable sight.

Ding ding ding!!! Give that member a cigar. Checked a 19-3 and a 66 and that is what it is. I have seen it before but just never taken much note of it.

Oh, and welcome to the forum from Wisconsin.

 

[olschool]

Here are some bad pics, I guess my camera wont take close ups any more. HELP.... what do you think?

 

[armorer951]

Look at it with a magnifier, it's not a hole.

 

[olschool]

I am looking at it with a loop and a tip of toothpick fits into it a ways. I haven't noticed these before, but I am old and on chemo. Are these common? And why are they there? They are on both of my guns and are both in the same area. THANKS.

 

[poorjohnny]

drainage holes incase you go swimming with it on.

 

[arjay]

The barrel pin hole?

 

[armorer951]

"hole"

That mark was never addressed at any armorers training that I attended. My guess is that it is an indexing mark....or mark from positioning/securing the frame in a fixture for a milling or drilling operation.

Disclaimer: pure speculation on my part

 

[linde]

That mark was never addressed at any armorers training that I attended. My guess is that it is an indexing mark....or mark from positioning/securing the frame in a fixture for a milling or drilling operation.

Disclaimer: pure speculation on my part

One degree above speculation is hearsay . . . I've been told by a knowledgeable source that a center punch mark like that was made when a gun was inspected during production and needed to be re-worked for some reason. I can't imagine the odds of having two with such a mark but I suppose it is possible.

Russ

 

[H Richard]

I was told by a knowledgeable person that it is a center punch mark to designate the gun was fired and passed the firing test.

 

[lebomm]

I was told many years ago that it's a punchmark to show original finish if white, a reblue if blue. All my S&Ws have it.

Larry

 

[Hapworth]

Government tracking micro device, I heard...

 

[theoneff]

Thats the wife mark. All wives put those on at some time or other to track purchases. Only half of my Smiths have it.

 

[linde]

. . . I've been told by a knowledgeable source that a center punch mark like that was made when a gun was inspected during production and needed to be re-worked for some reason . . .

I was told by a knowledgeable person that it is a center punch mark to designate the gun was fired and passed the firing test.

I just checked and most of mine have the punch mark . . . therefore I'm going to accept H Richard's knowledgeable source rather than mine

Russ

 

[ken158]

Armorer951's explanation gets my vote. I also spent two weeks at the factory and it was never addressed. Saw lots of frames in different fixtures for assembly and feel like the mark came from one of those processes.

 

[dfariswheel]

Rockwall hardness test mark??

 

[hivel37]

The 66-2 that's stashed under my elbow at the moment has 2 such marks.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I' gonna go check my 37 no dash. stop reading here, just wait. OK, I' looked and my 65-4 don't have one nor does my 37 no dash. I know you kept on reading and didn't wait for me to get back, but that's OK I hurried anyways.
peace,
gordon