gjamison
Member
Very odd place for these screws. Has anyone seen this before?
Strange screws in a strange spot.
- Thread starter gjamison
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Not me, but I've led a sheltered life.
Looks to me like a non-standard strain screw and a REALLY non-standard grip. For what my opinion might be worth to you, which may not be much.
Those stocks and screws look fine to me.
Alk8944
US Veteran
What OP is referring to is the two plug screws in the sideplate, adjacent to the rear sideplate screw. the strain screw appears to simply be loose, not non-standard!
I would think the holes were to mount an aperture sight of some sort. I have never seen such a sight mounted on a S&W revolver however. Possibly a sight fabricated by an earlier owner. ADD: Or possibly a fabricated base to mount a sight like a Lyman or Marbles tang sight
The stocks are a standard Heavy Frame Target revolver style.
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Absolutely correct. The two screw extended target stocks for this model came in either walnut or hard rubber.
I believe this theory is likely to be correct.
Photo added:
This HFT shipped in January, 1926.
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The two extras in the sideplate are new ones on me...
...Ben
...BenI agree about the screws.
The target grips are correct for the Heavy frame target model for most years but since the medallions look silver they are of a vintage used after 1927. The gun however is of pre 1924 vintage. The backside of the right side grip probably has a pencilled or stamped number that does not match the gun serial number on the front grip strap.
If the lower half of the back strap of the grip frame is notched/rebated the original grips were square butt with one screw and no medallions.
The target grips are correct for the Heavy frame target model for most years but since the medallions look silver they are of a vintage used after 1927. The gun however is of pre 1924 vintage. The backside of the right side grip probably has a pencilled or stamped number that does not match the gun serial number on the front grip strap.
If the lower half of the back strap of the grip frame is notched/rebated the original grips were square butt with one screw and no medallions.
Model19man
Member
I think you are correct - some sort of sight that is no longer installed.
Fishinfool
Member
Many years ago I seen a S&W revolver that had an aperture sight mounted on the side plate in a similar location. Similar in design to a sight that might mount on the side of the receiver of a rifle. I remember it had a small wheel to adjust elevation. Those extra side plate screws might be for something like that?
Couldn't find an image on Google, but Merit or Pachmayer sticks in my mind.
Larry
Couldn't find an image on Google, but Merit or Pachmayer sticks in my mind.
Larry
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The Wonder sight is the most often seen after market sight but it uses the upper side plate screw hole on '5 screw' models.
handejector
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I've never seen that. I can only think it was for a sight as others have said, or some type of thumbrest for a left handed shooter.
I can remember seeing many misguided attempts at mounting an optical sight over existing sights to allow for use of either, on both handguns and long guns...This could have been the result of one of those experiments......Ben
...BenThere is a slight 'ghost' image around the 2 screws, Darker orig finish showing the shape of what ever was mounted there.
The side plate screws all look new to me, not that would indicate anything other than just that,,new screws.
The bbl has a distinct line of wear from just forward of the bbl locking lug to the front sight .
I'd almost guess (and only a guess) that a shooter was grasping the bbl when shooting it.
The addition of a Lyman or Marbles type of rear aperture sight would really make sense to me. An adaptor plate on the RH side fashioned to place the sight right behind the hammer yet far enough to the rear so the hammer an still be operated w/o interference.
That might indicate a detachable butt stock w/ perhaps it's own grip(s) on the gun.
Maybe the backstrap and butt under the existing grip form has added attachment lug/holes for such a stock.
..and maybe the holes are just for a LH thumb rest as stated.
Small screws that's for sure. Maybe 3-56 or so.
The side plate screws all look new to me, not that would indicate anything other than just that,,new screws.
The bbl has a distinct line of wear from just forward of the bbl locking lug to the front sight .
I'd almost guess (and only a guess) that a shooter was grasping the bbl when shooting it.
The addition of a Lyman or Marbles type of rear aperture sight would really make sense to me. An adaptor plate on the RH side fashioned to place the sight right behind the hammer yet far enough to the rear so the hammer an still be operated w/o interference.
That might indicate a detachable butt stock w/ perhaps it's own grip(s) on the gun.
Maybe the backstrap and butt under the existing grip form has added attachment lug/holes for such a stock.
..and maybe the holes are just for a LH thumb rest as stated.
Small screws that's for sure. Maybe 3-56 or so.
OP
gjamison
Member
looks to me that someone installed a Lyman 48-type rifle peep sight there. Screw spacing looks about right.
Bubba strikes again! 
