Smith & Wesson Model 61
Encyclopedia
The Smith and Wesson Model 61 Pocket Escort is a small semi-automatic pistol designed for self-defense. It was available in blued
or nickel-plated
finishes and black or white plastic grip
plates. Production stopped in 1973.
Model 61 engineering changes:
Bluing (steel)
Bluing is a passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust, and is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish. True gun bluing is an electrochemical conversion coating resulting from an oxidizing chemical reaction with iron on the surface...
or nickel-plated
Nickel electroplating
Nickel electroplating is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of nickel onto a metal object. The nickel layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or used to build-up worn or undersized parts for salvage purposes.-Overview:...
finishes and black or white plastic grip
Pistol grip
On a firearm or other tool, the pistol grip is that portion of the mechanism that is held by the hand and orients the hand in a forward, vertical orientation, similar to the position one would take with a conventional pistol such as the M1911....
plates. Production stopped in 1973.
Model 61 engineering changes:
- 61 (B1,001–B7,800; March 1970)
- 61-1 (B7,801–B9,850): Magazine safety (May 1970)
- 61-1 (B1–B500): Special group of pres. numbers (1970)
- 61-2 (B9,851–B40,000): Barrel nutBarrel nutA sex bolt, also known as a barrel nut, barrel bolt, Chicago screw or post and screw, is a type of fastener which has a barrel-shaped flange and protruding boss that is internally threaded. The boss sits within the components being fastened, and the flange provides the bearing surface...
added (September 1970) - 61-3 (B40,001–B65,438): Aluminum frame (July 1971)