Smith and Wesson New Model No.3 Half ####

[WhoLock]

Hi all,

I've recently obtained a Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 in 44 Russian. Aesthetically it's rough around the edges, but mechanically it works great, save for one issue: I am unable to lock it into half ####. For those who don't know, these had a feature where you need the gun in half #### to open/close the locking latch. I'm able to open it when I barely hold the hammer open, and I can close it the same way, but obviously I'd prefer if it would hold on its own.

I'll get around to taking it apart this weekend, but any help would be appreciated (such as likely issues, replacement part vendors, etc) Thanks!

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

You definitely need to take it apart to clean it and inspect the half #### notch on the hammer and the trigger extension. The lockwork on the No.3 is not terribly complex and you should be able to diagnose it on your own.

Check out this video to get a better understanding of what should be happening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTHKdGa1k6c

When you do disassemble it please use the proper parallel sided gunsmithing screwdriver bits. Should you need help with the order of disassembly, pm me and I can forward the directions found in "Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly" by David Chicoine.

 

[WhoLock]

Ended up taking it apart yesterday. The mainspring screw is totally corroded in place (currently trying penetrating oil on it) so I'm not able to take the hammer out completely. Here's what it looks like without the sideplate:

https://imgur.com/a/8LhOFjQ

Looks like it's missing a notch What are my options?

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

Ended up taking it apart yesterday. The mainspring screw is totally corroded in place (currently trying penetrating oil on it) so I'm not able to take the hammer out completely. Here's what it looks like without the sideplate:

https://imgur.com/a/8LhOFjQ

Looks like it's missing a notch What are my options?

Not missing a notch, the first deep notch is your "half ####".

 

[Reeferman]

Not bad at all. I would suggest putting the whole revolver in a tub of Ed’s red or similar and let it soak for a week.

 

[BrotherRockeye]

Not missing a notch, the first deep notch is your "half ####".

This^^^
Hold the hammer where it needs to be and mark where the spring sits.
Once you can get the hammer out, weld it up and refile the notch to that point.
Simple fix.