Why "5 screw" ?

[rog8732]

This is not really about the particular revolvers themselves, so I just posted in the lounge.

Anybody remember when, or why, the "5 screw" designation came to be an accepted way to help ID an older hand ejector ?

Was "5 screw" ever an official Smith & Wesson designation ?

Seems like it could have easily been 6 screw, counting the strain screw, and if you consider the cylinder release "nut" which has a screw driver head, you move up to a 7 screw.

 

[Stainless44]

I looked in the Standard Catalog of S&W (3rd edition). On Page 15 they have a section titled "Screws: 3, 4, or 5". Here is an excerpt:

"S&W collectors often refer to Hand Ejector revolvers by the number of screws in the frame. From about 1905 to 1955, most Hand Ejectors had five screws - four side plate screws and a screw in the front of the trigger guard. About 1955, the top side plate screw was eliminated on most models, and these are referred to as four-screw guns. Around 1961, the trigger guard screw was eliminated, and all subsequent production is known as three screw. When counting screws, remember that the rear side plate screw is covered by some types of grips, and don't overlook the trigger guard screw that enters from the front of the trigger guard.

To confuse things even further, the earliest hand ejectors, 1896 - 1905, had only four screws (pre-five screw four-screws?), and some models had a sixth screw, a locking screw that held in place the top side plate screw, found in early alloy frame revolvers."

I hope that helps.

 

[Cyrano]

And those with a leaf mainspring had a strain screw in the forward face of the butt.

 

[gaucho1]

And those with a leaf mainspring had a strain screw in the forward face of the butt.

Really????.............in response to the question.........How do you get away with it?

 

[Mickey D]

Get a rope.