Those frame sizes are interesting. So I guess the number 1 size was the "J" frame of that era, then the 1,& 1/2 was the "K", #2 = "L" and #3 ="N", right? (LOL)
Howdy
I know you were only kidding.
But you cannot easily make a comparison of sizes between the numbered sizes of the TIp Ups and Top Breaks, and the lettered sizes of the Hand Ejectors. The following photos and text reflect my own observations, I have not read this stuff about size comparisons anywhere.
As you can see in this photo, the J Frame Model 36 at the top dwarfs the #1 Tip Up at the bottom. Probably the only Hand Ejector that S&W ever made similar in size to the #1 was the tiny M (not N) frame Ladysmith. A tiny seven shot revolver that was chambered for the 22 Long (not Long Rifle). Yes, that is the original Ladysmith, not that J frame thing S&W was making more recently and calling a LadySmith. These were first manufactured in 1902.
An interesting myth about the Ladysmith is that when stern old New Englander Daniel Wesson found out they were the gun of choice of ladies of the night, he ordered production ended. A fun story, but Wesson died in 1906 and the Ladysmith continued in production until 1921.
There were no Top Breaks made in the #1 size. The #1 1/2 size included the Tip Up 32 Rimfire New Model at the bottom of this photo and the Top Break 32 Single Action in the middle. There is actually an error in this photo. I have pictured 32 Rimfire Long cartridges next to the Tip Up. While they do fit in the cylinder, the gun was actually supposed to shoot the shorter 32 Rimfire cartridge, not 32 Rimfire Long. The 32 S&W (not 32 S&W Long) cartridges pictured next to the Top Break are correct. At the top is the little Ladysmith again, with a few 22 Longs, also the correct cartridge for that gun.
When we get to the #2 size, I think there is a fair comparison in size between these and the I Frame Hand Ejectors. The I frame was the precursor to the J frame. At the bottom is the Tip Up #2 Old Army, with the correct 32 Rimfire Long ammunition. Next up is a #2 size 38 Single Action with the correct 38 S&W ammo. At top left is an I Frame 32 Regulation Police. The cylinder of this model is dimensionally very similar to the #2 Tip Up and #2 Top Break. I have pictured the Model 36 again to show how the J Frame has a more elongated cylinder than any of the others.
Finally, we come to the #3. As I said before, S&W never produced a Tip Up in this size. They however produced many Top Breaks in this size. Specifically there were five separate models built on the Number Three size frame; the American, Russian, Schofield, New Model Number Three, and the 44 Double Action.
I think the #3s and the N frames are reasonably comparable in size.
Pictured at the bottom in this photo is a Top Break 2nd Model Russian, with the correct 44 Russian ammunition, and at the top is the first N Frame revolver, a 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model (Triple Lock) with the correct 44 Special ammunition. The two cylinders are very similar in diameter, but the Triple Lock cylinder is a little bit longer.