Need help with S&W Airweight

goldeneagle76

Wanting to fix up a buddies S&W Airweight 38spl. He is starting chemo and want to get this thing pretty for him. I don?t know model or specifics. Number on bottom of grip is 104### and there is a number when you pull cylinder down, 31###. It needs a new hammer and new grips. Cylinder is pretty tight don?t think that needs work. Any help figuring model, age, etc so I can order/find parts would be greatly appreciated.

navc130

Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special made from 1954 to 1995.

nmyers

The SN is the number on the bottom of the grip. If you can read it, most likely it should have round stocks. As it was made in 1956 (according to SCSW), I would hope to find diamond stocks for it.

It may be worth paying a professional to do the work; he can check it out before you spend money on parts that may need fitting.

Neal

goldeneagle76

Thanks so far fellas! Looks like I need part# 39140000 which is no longer made. Looks like I?ll be digging around for a little while.

charliemeyer007

I have only seen one or two and never had one apart. I did score a spare hammer for my model 53 on ebay some time back for a very good good price. I also scored a K-22 cylinder and crane at a gun show for $10 - needs a some mods to make the cylinder work (extended). You should post on the wanted forum. I'm guessing the correct grips and hammer will hard to find and costly when you do.

Different part listed here for the hammer, might be the difference between a pre 37.
http://www.vivasandson.com/m37.pdf

Best of luck, hope the chemo goes well.

added It might be a poorly done "bobbed" job on the hammer. I sort of agree that j-frame parts should fit, lots of used hammer's around that would be cheap to try and fit.

rufe-snow

Model 37's of that vintage. Were made lite so that they would be easy to carry concealed. Unfortunately, they weren't very durable.

I'm speaking from experience. Bought one in excellent original condition. It went out of time, and spat lead. From just a little shooting on my part. Aluminum frame stretched, affecting the linkage between hand and ratchets

Yours missing a hammer, isn't a positive sign, IMHO. Even getting it operable, with correct fitting of replacement parts. Might not make it, safe to shoot.

goldeneagle76

Any value to it as parts gun?

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by goldeneagle76
Any value to it as parts gun?


The Gun Broker auction, would be the best place, to check prices on vintage S & W parts.

To see the prices actually realized. You have to access the completed auctions. To do this, you have to sign up to be a auction member. If you haven't done this previously.

Might be able, to realize a tidy sum. By parting out the pre M-37. As I noted previously. They were not made with durability in mind. I'm sure a lot of folks, could use pre M-37 parts.

Be advised, selling the stripped frame. Would be just like selling a operable firearm. As far as the badge boys are concerned. Going through a FFL, etc.etc.

Hawk Carse

Grips I can understand, what is wrong with the hammer?

Bill DeShivs

Any "J" frame parts should work.

goldeneagle76

quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
Grips I can understand, what is wrong with the hammer?


spur on the hammer sheared off.

Herschel

The hammer would have virtually no use on a self defense pistol. Some of them come without a hammer spur or an internal hammer. I suggest cleaning, reassembling and test firing it. Hammers on similar pistols are sometimes intentionally removed.

Hawk Carse

Does the location of the break allow it to be ground smooth and used?
Lots of revolver hammer spurs have been removed on purpose