Why is hole drilled into cylinder frame on my OM Blackhawk?

[SATCOM]

Recently I obtained a non-prefix BKH34 OM Blackhawk in .357. It has been customized and I got it from an owner who did not have the work done. It has a small hole on left side of cylinder frame,high on the recoil buttress. I inserted a paper clip and it extended all the way thru frame and exited under the loading gate. I thought that there was a small spring and screw from the gate side. What might the reason for doing this modification?

Thanks,

SATCOM

 

[rugerguy]

that is for the firing pin (recoil plate) retaining pin,usually "flush" ( polished) to blend in with the outer surface of the cylinder frame, tells us the pin was removed and NOT replaced.........

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

that is for the firing pin (recoil plate) retaining pin,usually "flush" ( polished) to blend in with the outer surface of the cylinder frame, tells us the pin was removed and NOT replaced.........

+1 ^^^^

 

[SATCOM]

Thank you very much. Yes, the blued, polished, and normally not seen easily circle on the left side!
I guess I better put one in if planning on shooting. Will be a bit difficult to match length and will be noticed as the frame is color case hardened.

Again thank you.

SATCOM

 

[rugerguy]

use the paper clip as a guide, to measure , for length, it should be 1/16 " drill rod, hopefully the groove in the side of the recoil plate will"align' properly and make it flush,touch it up with a bit of cold blue, careful, neatness counts, do NOT like to see "pound" ( hammer OR punch) marks on the outer surface.......... 8) :wink:

 

[Johnnu2]

WOW..... glad you spotted that one in time...........I'm gonna guess that the innards were removed when the frame was CCH'd (?) You have to double check everything these days.. :-(