Cylinder rotation: something odd

[AZAndy]

I bought a S&W .38 Safety Hammerless 3rd Model yesterday. While checking the action, I noticed that the cylinder turns in the Colt direction (clockwise when viewed from the rear). I thought that was interesting, so I went to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson to see what it had to say about that. It didn't mention anything. Does anyone know anything about this? This is my only S&W top-break, so I can't compare it to other models of similar vintage. Did all the top-breaks go one way, and the hand ejectors the other?

 

[RON in PA]

My .38 number 2 break top single action also rotates clockwise.

 

[jar]

DA model 4 38S&W goes Turnwise.

 

[Sarge7402]

S&W's didn't begin to turn counterclockwise until the introduction of the solid frame models in the late 1890's.

Colt's DA revolvers with swing our cylinders up until about the new service and new police have cylinders that turn counterclockwise

 

[AZAndy]

S&W's didn't begin to turn counterclockwise until the introduction of the solid frame models in the late 1890's.

Colt's DA revolvers with swing our cylinders up until about the new service and new police have cylinders that turn counterclockwise

I didn't know that about the Colts. Interesting! Thank you.

 

[Drail]

"Turnwise"? Must be a Texas thang.....

 

[jar]

"Turnwise"? Must be a Texas thang.....

Nah, Discworld thang.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I didn't know that about the Colts. Interesting! Thank you.

Aye the colt m1886/new navy/m1892 was the first swing out DA revolver and it turns ccw. This causes wear that over time affects lockup. My new navy has this problem severely. Colt mitigated this by switching directions, causing the cylinder to torque against the frame, instead of away. SW added another lockout point on the end of the hand ejector rod.