What part is this?

[Glennp]

Heres an easy one.
I had a squib today and when I removed the cylinder powder spilled down into the lockwork. Made everything stiffer (or its just paranoia..)

Anyways, I took off the sideplate and out came part 34, the hammer block? http://www.marstar.ca/images/swrevolverb.gif

I put the big notch over what it shows in the photo and rested the other end in the notch in front of the hammer. Seems correct, yes?

So what's it do?

And: What would make the cylinder turning difficult? Cleaned the guts out pretty good and I think its back to normal but again, im paranoid. I do know before I took it apart it was hard to even get the cylinder locked in, and turning it was very difficult. Then a shot of compressed air by the hammer and all was good (this is before i took apart)

 

[ronnie gore]

squib

you may have powder under the extractor,brush it out good. the bottom of the hammer block sits on a small pin protruding from the trigger rebound bar.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I agree, it's usually powder under the extractor.

 

[pownal55]

If the problem persists i would disassemble the gun again and spray everything thoroughly with birchwood casey gunscrubber until the stuff runs out. Lightly lube and reassemble, good luck.

 

[il Padrino]

It's function is just as the name implies, it blocks the hammer, one of Smith & Wesson revolvers built in safety feature.
A hammer block is a latch, block or other obstruction built into the action and normally positioned to prevent the hammer contacting the cartridge primer or firing pin when at rest. Similar to the firing pin block, the obstruction to the hammer's travel is removed as a consequence of pulling the trigger. This allows the hammer to contact the primer or firing pin only when the trigger is pulled.