Who Can Repair a Broken Hammer Pin?

[Bob Smalser]

Received a mint 1953-56 vintage 32 HE 2" Pre Model 30 the other day damaged in the mail. Loosely packed in foam peanuts, the revolver migrated to the bottom where the hammer must have taken a serious blow.

Any recommendations on who can repair this? Or if it can be repaired at all. It'll be an insurance claim.

Thanks.

 

[MaineProbation]

Hammer Stud broken

That part is called the Hammer Stud. It is not uncommon to find one worn or bent. I would suggest returning it to the Service Department at S&W as they have the proper fixture to drive out the rest of the broken stud and the proper press to fit a new one.

 

[Bob Smalser]

... I would suggest returning it to the Service Department at S&W as they have the proper fixture to drive out the rest of the broken stud and the proper press to fit a new one.

Thanks, but Smith told me over the phone they don't work on models this old. It's an I-frame.

 

[opoefc]

That's a tough repair. It takes special tools to press in a new stud correctly, and not too many gunsmiths attempt it. Those that will, usually charge a high fee, maybe more than the gun is worth.

 

[mikepriwer]

Dave Chicoine can certainly fix that. That stud should screw in and out.
Typically is has a base that is threaded, and that base is about 1/2" in
diameter, or so. Its typically locked in with a peened ring around its
perimeter, but Dave can get those out. I've had several worn hammer
studs replaced.

If you can get that coil spring compressed, you can remove the
hammer, and you will see what I am describing.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Bob Smalser]

Thanks, gentlemen.


I'll call the factory again on Monday to press them a bit and also Cylinder and Slide.

If the revolver was a beater, I'd part it out. But it's nearly unfired. It is also insured for $400 and I'm prepared to fight the USPS over it. I've had a lot of damage from both them and UPS in the past 6 months.

 

[Muley Gil]

"Typically is has a base that is threaded, and that base is about 1/2" in
diameter, or so."

Mike, I know that the pre-war guns had threaded pins, as I've fixed a few that came loose. Don't the modern revolvers have pressed in studs?

 

[Bob Smalser]

Thought I'd pass this information on for other's benefit.

The S&W factory repairs broken frame studs using two methods:

1) Pressing and exterior crowning of new studs for $65.

2) What they call the "standard stud repair" which involves pressing in a new stud and dressing both sides for a neater, factory appearance followed by a refinish job. This runs $215.

The down side is that they need both the parts and the jig to do the work. J-frames are no problem but neither jigs nor parts are available for older I-frames like the pre-Model 30.

Cylinder and Slide in Nebraska does the "standard" Smith repair on any model frame for $150. The waiting list howver, is 10 months. You put down a small deposit and keep the revolver until they call for it.

There are a other high-end restoration specialists who can do the work, but their waiting lists are similar or longer and their prices higher.

Thanks all.

 

[mikepriwer]

Muley

Apparently on these guns they are pressed in. I wasn't aware of that -
I thought the only guns in the world were pre-WW2 K-frames !

Regards, Mike Priwer