"Superman" hammer

[shamus]

I noticed decades ago that early (1948-50) K-frames have a different shaped hammer. Not all of that vintage have it but, I have never seen it later than 1950. I have a K-22, K-38, M&P and Masterpiece with this hammer. I call it the Superman hammer because if you look at the opening sequence of the original Superman TV series the gun being fired is an M&P with this hammer. All my guns are under 100K sn. I have never seen any reference to this different shaped hammer (spur), I would guess that it was just one of those design changes that happen but, I am curious.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Sorry but the original Superman TV series (w/ George Reeves)
pictures a Colt OP.


Cheers,
Webb

 

[Muley Gil]

The very first Superman episodes from the early '50s showed a M&P with the "fish hook" hammer. The factory called it the "high speed" hammer.

Later Superman episodes did indeed have a Colt Official Police revolver in the opening. It was missing the ejector rod knob.

Every Sunday morning, the Heros & Icon channel shows four (4) episodes of Superman. Watched all four this today, including two Batmans and Wonder Woman.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The very first Superman episodes from the early '50s showed a M&P with the "fish hook" hammer. The factory called it the "high speed" hammer.

Later Superman episodes did indeed have a Colt Official Police revolver in the opening. It was missing the ejector rod knob.

You're right. I was familiar with the color version (with the Colt OP).
The earlier B&W version did indeed use a S&W. I stand corrected.


Cheers,
Webb

 

[DWalt]

I noticed decades ago that early (1948-50) K-frames have a different shaped hammer. Not all of that vintage have it but, I have never seen it later than 1950. I have a K-22, K-38, M&P and Masterpiece with this hammer. I call it the Superman hammer because if you look at the opening sequence of the original Superman TV series the gun being fired is an M&P with this hammer. All my guns are under 100K sn. I have never seen any reference to this different shaped hammer (spur), I would guess that it was just one of those design changes that happen but, I am curious.

The “High-speed” S&W hammer design of that time was used from the late 40s into the mid-50s when it was replaced by the semi-target and target style hammers. The High-speed hammer was also called the fish hook hammer or sculpted hammer at the time. And indeed the Superman opening sequence used both an M&P and a Colt OP at different times. I’d bet 99+% of the kids watching the series back then did not know or care about what revolver was used, only that Superman was faster than a speeding bullet.

Some years ago there was a movie made about the strange story of George Reeves and his mysterious death. Or more likely, a gigolo’s murder by a wronged husband. Seems that George really wasn’t faster than a speeding bullet. I don’t remember its title.

I looked it up. The movie title was Hollywoodland (2006), starring Adrian Brodie as a private eye investigating the death.

 

[sceva]

My 52 K-22 has the High Speed Hammer. It is one of my favorite hammers.

 

[Walter Rego]

I believe the gun used in the opening sequence of the color episodes was a Colt Police Positive Special rather than the Official Police Model. The PPS has a slightly smaller frame than the OP.

 

[DWalt]

There are several YouTube videos of the Superman introductions. After running the Colt version several times, the revolver does look more like a PPS than an OP, probably with a 6” barrel. And the extractor rod knob is missing.

 

[mikerjf]

Probably another benefit of 2” barrels… Superman can’t twist them into pretzels!