The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Won this rust locked up S&W 1917 snubbie at auction yesterday

**Mike Irwin** · May 7, 2012, 07:39 AM

Oh boy, where do I start...

"As to whether the sideplate was supposed to be crosshatched like that on its backside I have no idea."

I do. No, it's not. Someone did that at some point in the sideplate's life. It was not done at the factory.

"My hammer block is a long piece that follows a long slot on the left side of the revolver..."

No, not it is not. That is the cylinder release. Yes, it blocks the action from being operated when the cylinder is out of battery, but once the cylinder is in place it does NOTHING to block the hammer and prevent accidental firing of the gun. It is not a hammer block safety.

Your gun MAY be one of the ones that was made without a hammer block safety. I'm looking at the clearest picture you have of the sideplate, and it doesn't appear that it has the wing hammer block safety.

As such, you should never carry a round under the hammer.

May 7, 2012, 07:39 AM	#61
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,388	Oh boy, where do I start... "As to whether the sideplate was supposed to be crosshatched like that on its backside I have no idea." I do. No, it's not. Someone did that at some point in the sideplate's life. It was not done at the factory. "My hammer block is a long piece that follows a long slot on the left side of the revolver..." No, not it is not. That is the cylinder release. Yes, it blocks the action from being operated when the cylinder is out of battery, but once the cylinder is in place it does NOTHING to block the hammer and prevent accidental firing of the gun. It is not a hammer block safety. Your gun MAY be one of the ones that was made without a hammer block safety. I'm looking at the clearest picture you have of the sideplate, and it doesn't appear that it has the wing hammer block safety. As such, you should never carry a round under the hammer. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.