help with 38 safety hammerless

[WestKentucky]

I bought a basket case today, and I believe that all pieces/parts are accounted for including the cylinder stop which is worn and reportedly the reason for disassembly. It's serial is 1162xx which puts it into the range of the very earliest 4th models. I need help verifying 4th model as the info I found didn't seem too certain about the 116000 serial being the first 4th model. I also need help with assembly instructions and any tips or tricks I need to know.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Specifically what brand 38 Safety Hammerless are you talking about?

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Supica and Nahas, S&W 38 Safety Hammerless 4th model production started at SN 116003 and went to roughly 220000. Production started in 1898, ended in 1907.

Can't help you with Iver Johnson production numbers, or any other brands. The S&W 32 and 38 Safety Hammerless models were often called Lemon Squeezers because of the grip safety.


This S&W Safety Hammerless 3rd Model shipped in August of 1896.



You can find excellent disassembly and assembly information on this gun and many others in David Chicoine's book Antique Firearms Assembly and Disassembly.

It is available at Amazon among other places.

 

[WestKentucky]

I should have been much more specific, it is a S&W. But after finding a couple pictures of the lockwork and some trial and error I now have a functional (although very dangerous at this point) revolver. The cylinder stop is broken nearly a quarter inch from the engagement point. Numrich is sold out, and with that damage I'm afraid to try to tig it up.

Serial on cylinder and frame match. The gun has a date stamped under the grip, so I assume it was rebound at the factory in 1966 as indicated by the marking. Here she is in all her glory.

 

[WestKentucky]

116003 was the start of the 4th model....wonder how long it took to build about 257 of them....

 

[Jim K]

I once made a cylinder stop for one of those guns; I do NOT volunteer to do it again. AFAIK, they are not available.

Jim

 

[WestKentucky]

This one is together enough I think I can pull it off. It will be a challenge, but it can certainly be done.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, I suspect there are quite a few of those guns still in desk and bureau drawers and even in folk's pockets. I can think of a lot worse guns to depend on.

Jim

 

[Old Fuff]

FWIW, I suspect there are quite a few of those guns still in desk and bureau drawers and even in folk's pockets. I can think of a lot worse guns to depend on.

Ah so....

You've been peeking in my bureau drawers again...

But I didn't think you'd spot the one in my pocket.

Once a cop, always a cop ...

 

[Jim K]

I get reports from NSA. They have a spy satellite over your house.

Jim

 

[WestKentucky]

Only person supposed to be looking in Fuff's drawers is Mrs. Fuff.

 

[Old Fuff]

I get reports from NSA. They have a spy satellite over your house.

Well I suspected as much, and in addition someone is flying those funny airplanes that have the propeller in the back rather then the front around here. I thought it might have something to do with the U.S./Mexican border that isn't very far away, but now I'm not too sure...

Only person supposed to be looking in Fuff's drawers is Mrs. Fuff.

I got a news flash for ya! Never let a lady lay hands on one of you're Safety Hammerless Smith & Wesson's, especially the .32 size. If it happens you'll never see it again.

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend has one of the hammer version in bits in a cigar box for the same reason, broken cylinder stop. All the spares were used up decades ago because that is the weak point of small frame S&W topbreaks.

 

[Old Fuff]

A friend has one of the hammer version in bits in a cigar box for the same reason, broken cylinder stop. All the spares were used up decades ago because that is the weak point of small frame S&W topbreaks.

Also they tend to break firing pins if dry-fired without snap-caps.

 

[WestKentucky]

A friend has one of the hammer version in bits in a cigar box for the same reason, broken cylinder stop. All the spares were used up decades ago because that is the weak point of small frame S&W topbreaks.

If he wants it to live again he can donate it...

Mine is in pieces again. A new stop is in the works. Roughed out on a grinder, to be finished by hand. It's roughed in pretty well, just needs smoothed up. I'm taking plenty pics, and will put together a thread of various stages of assembly and disassembly to host here because info abounds, but pictures are scarce.

 

[Kaeto]

What I need to find is a pair of H&R Safety Hammerless trigger return springs.

 

[Jim Watson]

Wolf sells generic spring kits to choose from and fit for oddball guns.
http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=4&mID=132

 

[Kaeto]

Thank you. They have a pack that has just what I need.

 

[Jim K]

The Wolff springs will need fitted, and you should probably expect to mess up a couple before getting the hang of it.

Jim

 

[Kaeto]

So I figured.