Smith & Wesson Model 73

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The S&W Model 73 was a .38 Special caliber revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson.

History and description

The Model 73 was made in only 5000 units in 1973. It was made in C-frame, and was the only model to feature this frame. It was a J-frame modified to take a six-shot K-frame cylinder. It was Smith & Wesson's answer to the Colt Detective Special. [1]

The revolver was made with an offset cylinder stop, which made it difficult to manufacture and test. As a result, most Model 73s were destroyed for safety reasons; it is estimated that there are no more than 20 left in private ownership. [2]

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References

  1. Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 169–170. ISBN   0-89689-293-X.
  2. Lee, Jerry (2012). Standard Catalog of Handguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 510. ISBN   1-4402-3009-9.